Submission + - Fearing HIPAA, Google Rules Out Health Apps For Android Wear (securityledger.com) 1
chicksdaddy writes: The Security Ledger reports (https://securityledger.com/2014/03/google-android-wear-isnt-ready-for-health-data/) that amid all the hype over what great new products might come out of Google's foray into wearable technology with Android Wear (http://www.android.com/wear/), there's one big category of application that is off the list: medical applications. The reason? HIPAA — the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects the privacy of patients personal health information in the U.S.
Deep down in Google’s Developer Preview License Agreement (http://developer.android.com/wear/license.html) is language prohibiting Android Wear applications that involve personal health information:
“Unless otherwise specified in writing by Google, Google does not intend use of Android Wear to create obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, as amended, (“HIPAA”), and makes no representations that Android Wear satisfies HIPAA requirements."
Android Wear users who "are (or become) a Covered Entity or Business Associate under HIPAA... agree not to use Android Wear for any purpose or in any manner involving Protected Health Information unless you have received prior written consent to such use from Google.”
Google’s prohibition of medical applications is interesting. The market for personal health devices is evolving quickly, and the U.S. government has already warned that – in some cases – mobile applications may count as a type of medical device regulated by the FDA.(https://securityledger.com/2013/09/fda-says-some-medical-apps-a-kind-of-medical-device/)
No word from Google yet on how it plans to enforce the ban on medical applications for Google Wear, or what process it will set up to vet and approve health-related wearables. Given the potential for wearables to be used in health monitoring and the delivery of medical care, however, its a problem that the company might want to jump on — fast!
Deep down in Google’s Developer Preview License Agreement (http://developer.android.com/wear/license.html) is language prohibiting Android Wear applications that involve personal health information:
“Unless otherwise specified in writing by Google, Google does not intend use of Android Wear to create obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, as amended, (“HIPAA”), and makes no representations that Android Wear satisfies HIPAA requirements."
Android Wear users who "are (or become) a Covered Entity or Business Associate under HIPAA... agree not to use Android Wear for any purpose or in any manner involving Protected Health Information unless you have received prior written consent to such use from Google.”
Google’s prohibition of medical applications is interesting. The market for personal health devices is evolving quickly, and the U.S. government has already warned that – in some cases – mobile applications may count as a type of medical device regulated by the FDA.(https://securityledger.com/2013/09/fda-says-some-medical-apps-a-kind-of-medical-device/)
No word from Google yet on how it plans to enforce the ban on medical applications for Google Wear, or what process it will set up to vet and approve health-related wearables. Given the potential for wearables to be used in health monitoring and the delivery of medical care, however, its a problem that the company might want to jump on — fast!