Does GDPR apply to PHI?

Absolutely, the GDPR applies to all personal data of those within its jurisdiction, while HIPAA has a much more restricted area of influence and only affects PHI (Protected Health Information).

How to choose between HIPAA and GDPR?

Choose HIPAA if your organization handles U.S. healthcare Protected Health Information (PHI) or works with U.S. healthcare entities. Opt for GDPR if you process any personal data of EU/UK residents, regardless of your location. You should also consider the type of data, jurisdiction, potential penalties (GDPR fines are typically higher), and your market focus to determine which compliance standard best fits your business needs.

Does HIPAA apply to Europe?

No, HIPAA does not offer legal coverage beyond international boundaries. HIPAA only protects covered entities such as health care providers, health plans, clearinghouses, and their contracted business associates .

Does GDPR cover health information?

Yes, the GDPR acknowledges personal health data as a unique information classification, offering a distinct definition for data protection .

Does GDPR apply to US patients?

No, the GDPR does not apply to US citizens based in the United States. However, several federal and state-level privacy regulations offer comparable protections.

GDPR Archives

Blogs, GDPR, HIPAA

HIPAA vs GDPR (Differences and Similarities)

TL,DR: HIPAA protects PHI in the US healthcare sector; GDPR protects EU personal data across industries. GDPR requires breach notification within 72 hours, while HIPAA timelines depend on breach size. The article compares scope, rights, breach rules, penalties, obligations, and shared privacy goals. HIPAA and GDPR are two of the most stringent privacy and security…

Blogs, GDPR

UK GDPR vs EU GDPR: Key Differences Explained

TL,DR: UK GDPR governs how organizations collect, process, store, and protect personal data in the UK. It shares many principles with EU GDPR but has separate regulatory oversight. Businesses should manage consent, data rights, breach response, and processor obligations carefully. Introduction If you run a cloud-hosted company that collects customer data in the United Kingdom…

Blogs, GDPR

GDPR Data Mapping Template: Essential Practices and Compliance Strategies

TL,DR: GDPR data mapping indexes how a business collects, stores, and uses personal data across systems, required under Article 30 (Records of Processing Activities) and Article 36 (high-risk processing consultation) The process follows 7 stages: trace data flow, classify data, identify storage locations, document third-party sharing, assess legal basis, evaluate security measures, and establish retention/deletion…

Blogs, GDPR

GDPR Certification: Step by Step Guide

TL;DR GDPR certification is a voluntary accreditation verifying your organization meets EU GDPR standards; there’s no single official certificate, but you can get recognized certification through accredited third-party schemes like EuroPriSe and TRUSTe. It involves five key steps: readiness assessment and planning, mapping how data flows through your business, developing policies and training based on…

Blogs, GDPR

What are 8 GDPR Data Subject Rights ?

TL,DR: GDPR data subject rights give individuals control over how controllers process their personal data. The eight rights cover information, access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection, and automated decisions. The article maps each right to GDPR articles and explains operational duties for request handling. The 8 GDPR data subject rights form the foundation of data…

Blogs, GDPR

GDPR Article 4 Explained: Essential Terms and Definitions

TL,DR: GDPR Article 4 defines 26 key terms used throughout the regulation’s 11 chapters and 99 articles, serving as the official glossary for the entire GDPR framework and its interpretation Personal data means any information that can identify an individual, including identification numbers and physical location. Processing covers any action taken with data: collection, recording,…