OCR Provides Guidance on the Privacy of Data Stored on Health Apps and Mobile Devices
JD Supra July 15, 2022
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, many individuals and organizations have expressed uncertainty about the protection afforded to data stored on health apps, including cycle trackers.[1] As a result, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued guidance on multiple issues concerning the collection and sharing of personal health data. Recently, they issued guidance clarifying the extent to which information collected by cycle trackers and other health apps is protected. The OCR also provided tips for individuals wishing to protect the data stored on their personal devices or potentially shared with third parties.
Key Takeaway: Most importantly, the OCR made clear that the...