19 December 2024

Call to uphold medical confidentiality in data retention and access laws by law enforcement authorities

The Standing Committee of European Doctors co-signed a letter with professional associations, media and human rights organisations, trade unions and technology companies, urging ministers to ensure the EU digital security agenda safeguards justice, accountability, respects fundamental rights, supporting the development of a safe digital ecosystem.

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The High-Level Group (HLG) on access to data for effective law enforcement has proposed several recommendations which if followed would grant law enforcement maximal access possible to personal data, impacting also electronic health data systems.

CPME reaffirms the fundamental importance of the principle of medical confidentiality and the need to safeguard the use of secure processing environments for electronic health data at national level. Medical confidentiality is the cornerstone of trust between patients and doctors, a fundamental principle of medical ethics, and constitutes a patient right. The fear of disclosure of medical data inhibits patients from seeking care.

Ahead of the development of EU priorities in this policy area, the stakeholders call upon the ministers to consider the following common recommendations:

respect fundamental rights and ensure the security and confidentiality of digital spaces
uphold the right to privacy and inviolability of protected information
support a safe, trustworthy and diversified digital ecosystem

Please see Joint letter here.

For further information please see EDRi website here.