Mobile health apps must follow FTC breach notice rule after update
By 
Adrianne Appel2024-04-26T18:49:00
Mobile health applications and similar technologies must notify customers following a data breach or risk violating the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) health breach notification rule (HBNR), part of a broad update approved by the agency.
Many providers of direct health services, such as hospitals and doctors, are required to protect personal information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The HBNR pertains to health entities not beholden to HIPAA, such as certain vendors of health records, and requires them to notify individuals about data incidents.
The FTC has applied the HBNR to mobile health applications, as its recent enforcement actions against GoodRx and Easy Healthcare show.
Related articles
-
News BriefCerebral set to pay $7M over alleged patient data sharing
The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission proposed telehealth company Cerebral pay a total of $7 million for its alleged sharing of patient data and deceptive business practices in violation of the FTC Act.
-
News BriefState AGs tell UnitedHealth to do more in cyberattack aftermath
UnitedHealth Group’s response to a major cyberattack in February that wreaked havoc with medical payments nationwide has been “inadequate” and must be improved immediately, a group of 22 state attorneys general told the company.
-
News BriefWilliams-Sonoma fined record $3.2M over admitted ‘Made in USA’ order violations
Kitchen and home retail company Williams-Sonoma agreed to pay nearly $3.2 million for failing to comply with a 2020 administrative order by the Federal Trade Commission prohibiting its marketing of imported goods as made in the United States.
More from Regulatory Policy
-
ArticleCalifornia privacy regulator unveils new cyber, risk, and automation rules
Businesses operating in California will need to meet new, first-in-the-nation privacy requirements for cybersecurity, risk assessments, and automated decision-making technology, under a large expansion of rules by the state.
-
Basic PageDOJ, EPA take legal action against the California Air Resources Board
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed two lawsuits against the California Air Resources Board, claiming it no longer has the legal right to enforce strict emissions rules for heavy-duty trucks.
-
PremiumCompliance in the spotlight as tariffs, sanctions turn into geopolitical weapons
Navigating tariffs and sanctions is becoming a core part of compliance for many companies. As the U.S. and others use economic policies for political aims, compliance teams must adapt to this new geoeconomic trend.