Health app data breaches: should we be concerned?

As expert Data Leak Lawyers who specialise and focus on data protection compensation claims, we believe that people ought to be concerned about health app data breaches.

There are many ways these breaches can occur, and when it comes to medical data, we’re talking about some of the most private and sensitive information there is.

The app market continues to grow, and the popularity of health apps is understood to be on the rise as well. Ultimately, the companies behind these apps could be gathering – and maybe even sharing – more data than many people realise. On top of that, the risks of leaks and hacks is a cause for concern.

We should be concerned about health app data breaches

The primary reason that we ought to be concerned when it comes to the prospect of health app data breaches is the nature of the information that’s collected.

Medical data breach compensation claims are often high in value because the data that’s exposed is usually personal and sensitive. The loss of control of sensitive medical information can cause considerable distress for victims, so the thought that health apps are collecting such private and sensitive medical data is the worry. Health apps can be a prime target for hackers, and the information collected could be valuable if shared on for marketing purposes.

When you consider that an app knows your personal medical information as well as standard stuff that apps often collect like contact information and location data, it’s a wealth of information that could be used.

Is there a lack of transparency around health app data sharing?

Results from a study published earlier this year by the BMJ (British Medical Journal) questioned transparency when it comes to data sharing for health apps.

They said that “sharing of user data is routine, yet far from transparent”, and suggested that  “developers should disclose all data sharing practices and allow users to choose precisely what data are shared and with whom.”

And we agree.

How far is your personal medical data going? Wherever it goes to, is it safe? What if the amazon servers that the data is stored on are compromised? Who has access to those servers? How secure is the overall infrastructure in place for the access and storage of your personal medical data?

Can you claim compensation for health app data breaches?

Victims of health app data breaches can be eligible to make a claim for compensation. If your data has been shared without proper consent, you may be entitled to damages. If data is accidentally leaked or is hacked, you may also be able to make a claim as well.

Data breach compensation pay-outs in kinds of cases where its medical data that’s compromised can be high because the level of distress that can be caused can be significant. You don’t have to suffer in silence, which is why we may be able to represent you for a case on a No Win, No Fee basis.

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