THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY
8/11/20266 min read
The Right to Privacy: Protecting Your Health Information in the Digital Age
Published: August 10, 2026
Privacy is more than keeping a secret. It is the ability to have a reasonable degree of control over personal information—what is collected, why it is collected, who can access it, and how it may be used.
As healthcare becomes increasingly digital and artificial intelligence (AI) becomes part of everyday life, protecting privacy has become especially important. Health information can reveal deeply personal details about a person's physical condition, mental well-being, medications, medical history, lifestyle, and other aspects of life that many people may not want exposed.
The right to privacy is recognized internationally as a fundamental human right. Article 12 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights addresses protection against arbitrary interference with a person's privacy, family, home, or correspondence.
Why Health Privacy Matters
Health information is among the most sensitive types of personal information. Medical records can contain names, dates of birth, diagnoses, laboratory results, medications, insurance information, and other identifying details.
In the United States, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule establishes federal protections for protected health information held by covered health plans, healthcare providers, and certain other organizations. The Privacy Rule establishes limits on how protected health information may be used or disclosed and gives individuals important rights concerning their information.
Individuals generally have the right to examine and obtain copies of their health information and, in appropriate circumstances, request corrections. HIPAA also provides individuals with certain rights concerning restrictions on the use or disclosure of their protected health information.
However, an important distinction should be understood: not every health website, mobile application, AI service, or technology company is automatically covered by HIPAA. HIPAA applies to specific covered entities and business associates. Consumers should therefore understand the privacy practices of each service they use.
Privacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can provide useful tools for health education, wellness information, research, and other applications. At the same time, AI systems may receive information entered by users.
That creates an important question:
What happens to the information you enter?
Before entering personal or health-related information into an AI system, consider whether the service clearly explains:
What information is collected
Why the information is collected
How long information may be retained
Whether information may be shared
Whether information may be used to improve or train a system
What security measures are used
Whether users can request deletion or correction
Whether the service is subject to HIPAA or another privacy law
Privacy should be considered before sensitive information is submitted—not after.
Share Only What Is Necessary
HIPAA includes a "minimum necessary" principle that generally requires covered entities to take reasonable steps to limit certain uses and disclosures of protected health information to what is reasonably necessary for the intended purpose.
For everyday technology use, this can also be a useful privacy habit:
Share only the information necessary for the service you are using.
For example, someone seeking general health information may not need to provide a full name, home address, Social Security number, medical record number, or other identifying information.
Avoiding unnecessary personal details can reduce the amount of sensitive information circulating online.
Your Health Information Matters
Your health information can help you make informed decisions about your care.
HHS explains that individuals generally have rights to access their health information, obtain copies, review the information for accuracy, and request corrections when appropriate. Access can also help people communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals and manage their health information.
Privacy and access are therefore not opposites.
You should be able to access your health information while also expecting appropriate protections for it.
Privacy Is a Shared Responsibility
Protecting personal information is not solely the responsibility of healthcare organizations or technology companies. Individuals can also take practical steps to protect themselves.
Consider these habits:
Read privacy policies before using health-related websites or applications.
Avoid entering unnecessary identifying information into AI systems.
Use strong and unique passwords.
Enable multifactor authentication when available.
Keep computers, smartphones, and applications updated.
Review application permissions and disable unnecessary access.
Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities.
Understand where your health information is stored.
Ask healthcare organizations how your information may be used or disclosed.
Review your medical records and ask about information that appears inaccurate or incomplete.
These steps cannot eliminate every privacy risk, but they can help people make more informed decisions about their digital information.
Privacy and Trust in Healthcare
Trust is an important part of healthcare.
People may be less comfortable sharing information when they do not understand who can access it or how it may be used. Clear privacy practices can help people feel more confident communicating with healthcare professionals and using digital health technologies.
Healthcare organizations should make privacy information understandable and accessible rather than relying solely on complicated legal language.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires covered entities to provide individuals with information about their privacy practices and certain rights regarding protected health information.
AI, Health Apps, and Privacy
The relationship between AI and health privacy deserves particular attention.
HHS's Office for Civil Rights provides specific guidance concerning health applications and how HIPAA requirements may apply in certain circumstances. The agency notes that privacy and security should be considered when health information is maintained or transmitted electronically.
This means consumers should avoid assuming that a health app or AI platform automatically provides the same privacy protections as a traditional healthcare provider.
Before using a service, look for clear information about:
Privacy → Security → Data collection → Data sharing → Data retention → User controls
If those answers are difficult to find, that is a reason to pause and investigate further.
What If You Believe Your Health Privacy Was Violated?
If you believe a HIPAA-covered organization or business associate violated your health-information privacy rights, you may be able to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.
HHS provides an online process for filing HIPAA privacy and security complaints.
Privacy laws can differ depending on the type of information, organization, technology, and location involved. State laws may also provide additional protections in certain circumstances.
A Simple Privacy Question
Before entering personal information online, ask yourself:
"Do they really need this information to provide the service I am requesting?"
If the answer is no, consider leaving it out.
This simple habit can be particularly useful when using AI tools for general health education.
Looking Ahead
AI, wearable devices, telehealth, electronic health records, mobile health applications, and other technologies will continue to change how people manage and access health information.
These technologies can create meaningful opportunities for education, communication, and healthcare—but innovation should not mean abandoning responsible privacy practices.
The future of digital healthcare should strive for both innovation and privacy.
People should be able to benefit from technology while understanding what information they are sharing and what protections may apply.
At AIPureHealth, we believe health technology should help people become more informed and confident—not make them feel that they must surrender control of their personal information to benefit from innovation.
Privacy matters because your personal information is part of your life—and protecting it matters.
Medical & Health Information Disclaimer
AIPureHealth provides general educational and informational content and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. Information presented in this article is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
This article is also not legal advice. Privacy laws and regulations can vary depending on the type of information, organization, technology, location, and circumstances involved. References to HIPAA or other privacy laws do not mean that a particular website, application, AI service, or organization is legally covered by those laws.
Do not submit sensitive personal, medical, financial, or identifying information to an AI system or online service unless you understand how the information may be handled and are comfortable with the applicable privacy practices.
If you have questions about your legal privacy rights or a potential privacy violation, consider consulting a qualified attorney or the appropriate government agency.
Published: August 10, 2026
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026
References
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. The HIPAA Privacy Rule. Provides information about federal standards protecting medical records and individually identifiable health information. Accessed August 10, 2026.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information. Provides information about HIPAA privacy protections, individual rights, safeguards, and the minimum-necessary standard. Accessed August 10, 2026.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Get it. Check it. Use it. Information about individuals' rights to access, review, and obtain copies of health information. Accessed August 10, 2026.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Special Topics in Health Information Privacy. Includes information concerning health information technology, privacy, security, and health applications. Content reviewed April 22, 2026.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Filing a Health Information Privacy Complaint. Information about filing complaints involving HIPAA privacy, security, and breach-notification requirements. Content reviewed February 13, 2026.
United Nations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 12. International human-rights framework addressing protection against arbitrary interference with privacy. Accessed August 10, 2026.