GDPR And Digital Health: Is Your Software ‘Fit' For Purpose?

Digital health technologies are a growing presence in our day-to-day lives - from the step-counter in your smartphone, to online consultations with a GP, to artificial intelligence (AI) virtual patient monitoring. The term ‘digital health’ captures technology of varying complexity, all with the similar aim of engaging with and improving an individual’s health and lifestyle, while improving efficiency. Given the evolution and rising popularity of these technologies on the consumer market, we look at some important data protection considerations that are setting the tone in this new era of digital health products.

What’s so special about health data?

As health, genetic or biometric data is particularly sensitive, its misuse poses greater risks to data subjects. The GDPR therefore designates it as a ‘special category of personal data’ that must be given additional protections. Digital health technology companies need to take care if processing this category of data.