Houston, Texas (June 28, 2023) – The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed significant amendments
to the Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR) in response to the
rapid evolvement of health apps and other health related
technologies. These changes aim to strengthen and modernize the
rule, ensuring that consumers' health data are protected and
that companies provide timely notifications when breaches
occur.
The Need for Updates
Since the issuance of the HBNR in 2009, the development and use
of health apps and connected devices has dramatically expanded.
However, many of these technologies fall outside the scope of the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This
regulatory gap creates challenges in safeguarding consumers'
sensitive health information and ensuring proper breach
notifications.
