The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken a significant stride in bolstering consumer protection in the digital health realm with its recent overhaul of the Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR).
Now, health apps and analogous technologies are brought under stringent scrutiny, filling a regulatory void that previously left them outside the scope of existing legislation like HIPAA.
Under the revamped regulations, entities not covered by HIPAA, such as vendors of personal health records (PHR... moreThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken a significant stride in bolstering consumer protection in the digital health realm with its recent overhaul of the Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR).
Now, health apps and analogous technologies are brought under stringent scrutiny, filling a regulatory void that previously left them outside the scope of existing legislation like HIPAA.
Under the revamped regulations, entities not covered by HIPAA, such as vendors of personal health records (PHR) and related entities, are mandated to promptly notify individuals, the FTC, and potentially the media in the event of a breach of unsecured personally identifiable health information.
This expansion of coverage represents a proactive measure by the FTC to adapt to the changing landscape of digital health, where traditional frameworks may fall short in addressing emerging risks.
