Amazon’s Potential Acquisition of One Medical Sparks Health Data Privacy, Security Concerns

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) wrote a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking it to investigate Amazon’s plans to purchase primary care organization One Medical, citing health data privacy and security concerns.

“I realize that the FTC is currently engaged in numerous efforts to combat America’s accelerating economic concentration and the power of tech behemoths,” Hawley wrote.

“Nevertheless, I urge you to prioritize a searching review of this particular transaction.”

One Medical has more than 8,000 employer clients and provides membership-based care both virtually and via 188 in-person locations. Amazon’s decision to acquire One Medical would solidify its place in the healthcare sector, which some fear could have negative implications for patient privacy.

“This particular acquisition, if allowed to proceed, would represent an alarming new direction for a company that already wields far too much power,” Hawley continued.

The Senator argued that giving Amazon access to “enormous tranches of patient data” could be a mistake. Hawley noted that while HIPAA and other privacy laws exist, “loopholes exist in every legal framework.”

“Most importantly, this acquisition would provide Amazon with access to enormous tranches of patient data. While HIPAA and other privacy laws exist to thwart the worst potential abuses, loopholes exist in every legal framework.”

Other experts have called on regulators to update HIPAA to reflect modern-day issues. When HIPAA was enacted more than two decades ago, it did not account for the prominence of health apps, data held by non-HIPAA-covered entities, and other unique patient privacy issues that are now sparking concerns among providers and patients.

“Scenarios once written off as scaremongering fictions are now a very real possibility,” Hawley suggested.

“For instance, if an individual is diagnosed with high blood pressure by a One Medical doctor, will he later be advertised over-the-counter blood pressure medications whenever he shops at Whole Foods Market? Promoting wellness is one thing; dystopian corporate ‘nudging’ is quite another.”

Hawley urged the FTC to ask Amazon why they decided to pursue the acquisition, and what lines they intend to draw between patient and retail customer data. Additionally, Hawley expressed concerns that Amazon’s market power may undercut competitor providers.

“Americans’ privacy and safety are now on the line in a wholly new way,” Hawley said. “Amazon shouldn’t be allowed to buy its way into this industry.”