Biden order fortifies data privacy ahead of state-by-state legal battle over abortion

Biden order fortifies data privacy ahead of state-by-state legal battle over abortion

a year ago
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https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/08/biden-order-fortifies-data-privacy-ahead-of-state-by-state-legal-battle-over-abortion/

An executive order signed by President Biden places the White House’s weight firmly behind states where access to abortion is guaranteed, urging the FTC and other executive entities to examine and reinforce data protection policies. Without a digital trail to follow, attempts to criminalize private medical activity across borders may prove far more difficult.

The legal battles ahead over reproductive rights in the post-Roe era will likely be complex and unprecedented, and data will be an important part of them. As a medical procedure, abortion is covered under the federal patient privacy law HIPAA, but that will likely conflict with state rules demanding disclosure. Furthermore, digital services like period-tracking apps and even fitness and wellness platforms may track and even sell data that could be incriminating.