The capabilities of health and fitness wearables continue to grow, as does the amount of data they generate. About 20 percent of U.S. adults report owning a wearable or smartwatch, according to a January report from the Pew Research Center, and those users will produce millions of health-related data points in their lifetimes.

But how — and to what extent — do private companies secure that data?

The simplicity and intelligence of wearables, despite their benefits in maintaining good health, could leave consumers vulnerable, notes a recent report from Manatt and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Wearables, mobile apps and even Facebook are collecting health-related data on users. Without an expansion of HIPAA laws to include these new technologies, consumers can be misinformed about how their data is being used, the report says.

https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2020/09/3-reasons-why-wearables-bring-new-complications-hipaa-compliance