Which Telecoms Store Your Data the Longest?
You know that your text messages are stored by your cell phone provider, what you may not know is how much information and for how long. Well we now have that information-- Wired recently reported data from the Department of Justice that shows what is stored and for how long.
If physicians are texting using Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T or Sprint check out how long those text messages (that may contain PHI) will reside. This along with the fact Telecom providers are not HIPAA secure and certainly have not signed a business associate agreement with the covered entity should raise concern.
Combining the convenience of texting with the trend in physician adoption of mobile devices puts your PHI at risk—unless you have a secure texting solution. What are you using for secure texting? Take a look at Imprivata Cortext, a free, HIPAA compliant text messaging app that combines streamlined care provider communication with the simplicity of your native text messaging app.