Google Health Launches
Security concerns are already surfacing.
Google launched its much anticipated medical database
service today at a press event at the company’s offices in Mountain View, CA. Previewed in February, the
service provides a place where Google users can store medical history, compile
prescriptions, and search for relevant medical information.
The search giant has already lined up some big-name
partners. Walgreen’s, CVS, Longs Drugs Stores, AllScripts, Quest Diagnostics,
and the Cleveland Clinic have all announced partnerships.
For example, according to a press
release from CVS,
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By integrating on the Google Health
platform, patients who receive treatment at MinuteClinic, the retail-based
health clinic subsidiary of CVS Caremark, will be able to securely import their
visit summaries into their Google Health Accounts.
One of the biggest hurdles facing Google Health is whether
consumers trust the company enough to hand over their most intimate medical
details. Google promises that security has been a primary concern when building
the database. But the true test of whether the company has assuaged privacy
fears will come when we see how many people sign up.
A blog
posted minutes after the launch may be a preview of things to come:
However, the terms of
usage gave me a little pause. The biggest issue: Typical health information protections–HIPAA–don’t
apply. During a demo, Google executives said that the user controls the
information and the search giant won’t share information unless the patient
says it’s OK. That’s a great promise, but it’s not HIPAA.
According to the terms of service,
Use of Your Information
If you create, transmit, or display
health or other information while using Google Health, you may provide only
information that you own or have the right to use. When you provide your
information through Google Health, you give Google a license to use and
distribute it in connection with Google Health and other Google services.
However, Google may only use health information you provide as permitted by the
Google Health Privacy Policy, your Sharing Authorization, and applicable law.
Google is not a “covered entity” under the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder
(“HIPAA”). As a result, HIPAA does not apply to the transmission of health
information by Google to any third party.
In addition, Google makes information available to third
services if you permit it, and it keeps that access open until you actively
disable it. That could be a sticking point for those of us who are too lazy to
actively manage our accounts.
Sign up for the service here,
or find out more about it at Google Health FAQ.
