Agency opens public comments for updates to Health Breach Notification Rule.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) seeks feedback on proposed changes to the Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR), in an effort to clarify its applicability to health apps and similar technologies. With the increase of health apps and direct-to-consumer health technologies—fitness trackers, mental health, general health, etc.—the proposed changes address the increased collection of sensitive health data and the potential misuse of that data for marketing and other purposes.
“We are witnessing an explosion of health apps and connected devices, many of which aren’t covered by HIPAA, collecting vast amounts of sensitive consumer health information. When this information is breached, it is more vital than ever that mobile health app developers and others covered by the Health Breach Notification Rule provide consumers and the FTC with timely notice about what happened,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The proposed amendments to the rule will allow it to keep up with marketplace trends, and respond to developments and changes in technology.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chair Lina Khan as she oversees the commission.
- For Director Levine as he heads the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection.
- For U.S. officials as they seek to protect the health information and privacy of Americans.
Sources: Reuters
