FTC and HHS Update Consumer Health Data Privacy and Security Guide

On September 15, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) published an updated version of the two agencies’ joint publication, entitled “Collecting, Using, or Sharing Consumer Health Information? Look to HIPAA, the FTC Act, and the Health Breach Notification Rule.” 

The publication aims to help businesses learn more about their legal obligations under some of the health privacy and security-related laws and rules enforced by the FTC and the HHS, with specific focus on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, the FTC Act, and the FTC’s Health Breach Notification Rule.

The publication offers general guidance on issues including what entities the specific laws and regulations cover, the measures covered entities can adopt to maintain the privacy and security of consumers’ health information, and the steps entities must take in the event of a data breach.  The publication is available on the FTC’s website.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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