Privacy commissioner investigating telehealth app

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Alberta’s privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into the Babylon by Telus Health app, which allows doctors and patients to connect via video chat and access medical records digitally.

In a statement, Information and Privacy Commissioner Jill Clayton says the investigation was opened after concerns were identified in separate assessments submitted by a Calgary-based physician and Babylon Health Canada Limited.

“No one is required to use Babylon by Telus Health. I encourage physicians or patients with concerns about this app to remain opted out of using it while my office reviews the app’s compliance with Alberta’s privacy laws,” said Clayton.

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Critics, including the opposition NDP, said in March that they have serious concerns about the app and worried the information could be exploited.

Premier Jason Kenney, however, said the province has confidence in the app and it had been used successfully in British Columbia and the United Kingdom.

A formal privacy assessment of the app could not be completed before it was launched, due to a high volume of cases being handled by the commissioner’s office at the time, although a request was submitted by the company.

Telus also released a statement on the investigation, and promise that protecting patient data is a cornerstone for the company.

“Both TELUS and Babylon welcome the opportunity to clarify the strength of our privacy program for Babylon by TELUS Health, and look forward to working collaboratively with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta to supply the additional information requested to showcase that we are meeting or exceeding the privacy requirements,” read the statement emailed to 660 NEWS.

There is no timeline on when the investigation may be completed, and a public report may be issued afterwards.