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Is AppsFlyer HIPAA compliant?

Is AppsFlyer HIPAA compliant?

HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is U.S. legislation created to improve healthcare standards. Covered entities and their business associates must be HIPAA compliant to protect the rights and privacy of patients and their protected health information (PHI). We know the HIPAA industry is vast and that it is important to work well and communicate with patients while remaining HIPAA compliant.

SEE ALSO: HIPAA compliant email marketing: What you need to know

This is especially true with the recent move toward remote working and the increase in cyberattacks against healthcare.

Today, we will determine if AppsFlyer is HIPAA compliant or not.

 

About AppsFlyer

AppsFlyer is a SaaS mobile marketing analytics and attribution platform, headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Mobile attribution is a method used to determine which campaigns, media partners, and channels tie with app installs. It connects actions with results. Customers can use AppsFlyer to predict app growth and deliver extraordinary mobile experiences. They can also address app profitability, fraud/brand safety protection, and consumer experience with deep linking.

 

AppsFlyer and the business associate agreement

A major part of HIPAA compliance is ensuring a business associate will sign a business associate agreement (BAA). A business associate is a person or entity that performs certain functions or activities that involves the use or disclosure of PHI.

In this instance, AppsFlyer is a business associate of a healthcare organization if it works with any data that includes electronic PHI (ePHI), like a name or an email address.

Generally, the HIPAA Privacy Rule allows healthcare providers to disclose PHI if they receive assurance that the information is protected through a signed BAA.

AppsFlyer does not mention a BAA on its website though several web pages mention that the company is HIPAA compliant.

Organizations should call customer service to find out if a BAA is possible.

A Data Processing Addendum is available online for countries subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

 

AppsFlyer and data protection

Account security features include complex passwords and two-factor authentication. Like other, similar platforms, AppsFlyer utilizes Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform for cloud security.

The company encrypts all data, in transit and at rest, and there are options for IP masking. Given the importance of minimizing personally identifiable information (PII) in a privacy web page, AppsFlyer insists that it implements strong technical and organizational measures to ensure data is safe.

The privacy page further adds: “For apps that frequently handle sensitive information or protect[ed] health information (PHI). . . . We let you decide which data you share and with whom, while maintaining the strictest standards for compliance across every global market, including HIPAA.”

AppsFlyer further states that it takes a privacy by design approach for health and fitness apps dealing with PHI to keep “user data secure and HIPAA compliant.”

As AppsFlyer does collect user data, it is unknown how it keeps some information more secure than others.

 

Is AppsFlyer HIPAA compliant?

The BAA is a key component of HIPAA compliance.

AppsFlyer mentions several times that it is HIPAA compliant but does not mention signing a BAA. 

Conclusion: Although we could not find BAA on the AppsFlyer site, they do state they are HIPAA compliant.

 

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