Inside STAT: Telehealth is convenient during Covid-19. It’s also a magnet for data theft

(ADOBE)

The rapid expansion of telemedicine as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic may be a welcome change for the most part, but technology experts are concerned about privacy and fraud in this brave new world of digitized medicine. There have already been a few instances of data breaches: U.K.-based Babylon Health suffered a breach last month, where those who used the company's video app could see other patients’ appointments. And telemedicine was used in a $1.2 billion scheme last year, when providers fraudulently prescribed braces to those who didn't need them. Complicating the landscape is the fact that most health care providers don't receive any privacy and security training. STAT Plus subscribers can read more from STAT's Casey Ross here.