Safeguarding Health Data: Navigating Legal Complexities in the Digital Age

Abstract

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, healthcare data emerges as both a catalyst for medical innovation and a source of significant privacy concerns. This chapter provides an in-depth legal examination of healthcare data protection, tracing the transition from conventional health records to intricate digital networks. As health data is inherently sensitive, the chapter scrutinizes international legal frameworks, including the EU’s GDPR, the US’s HIPAA, and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, identifying both their robust features and existing gaps. Key legal concepts, such as informed consent, data ownership, confidentiality, and cross-border data transfers, are analyzed to understand their real-world implications. Moving beyond theoretical discussions, the chapter addresses practical risks—from cyberattacks to telemedicine vulnerabilities, and evaluates innovative technological defenses, including AI and blockchain. Furthermore, it considers regulatory practices, the involvement of data protection authorities, and enforcement tactics, ultimately reflecting on the challenging interplay between healthcare innovation and data privacy.