Is Google Slides HIPAA compliant?

We often get asked by customers and prospects about Google Slides and their ability to use it in a HIPAA compliant manner. We know the HIPAA market is vast so we can empathize with just how many people need to use cloud-based storage services in this sector.

SEE ALSO: Google & HIPAA Compliance: The Ultimate Guide

In previous posts, we’ve covered the following cloud solutions and their capabilities for HIPAA compliance:

• Amazon CloudFront
• Apple iCloud
• Box
• Citrix ShareFile
• Dropbox
• FaceTime
• Google Calendar
• Google Docs
• Google Drive
• Google Forms
• Google Hangouts
• Google Voice
• GoToMeeting
• Intercom
• Office 365
• OneDrive
• SharePoint
• Slack
• WhatsApp
• Yammer
• Zoho
• Zoom
•  

The purpose of this post is to determine if Google Slides offers HIPAA compliance or not.

SEE ALSO: HIPAA Breaches and Cloud Providers

About Google Slides

Google Slides is a web-based slideshow presentation program that competes directly with Microsoft Powerpoint. It was released by Google in 2007.

Google Slides and the Business Associate Agreement

We’ve previously talked about how a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is a written contract between a Covered Entity and a Business Associate. It is required by law for HIPAA compliance. We checked Google's site and found a Google Workspace Administrator Help article called HIPAA Compliance with Google Workspace. In the article, Google points out: "Google offers a BAA covering Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive (including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms)..."

Does Google Slides Offer HIPAA Compliant Service?

The Business Associate Agreement is a key component to HIPAA compliance between a Covered Entity and a Business Associate. Since Google offers one that covers Google Slides, we conclude that Google Slides is a HIPAA compliant service. It's important to note however, you must sign a BAA with Google to be HIPAA compliant.

Google Workspace email isn't HIPAA compliant out of the box.

Download the Quick Guide to HIPAA Compliant Email for free.

Conclusion: Google Slides is HIPAA Compliant. Make sure you sign a BAA with Google.

SEE ALSO: Is Google Drive HIPAA Compliant?