|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Document |
 |
Sensors and In-Home Collection of Health Data: A Privacy by Design Approach |
|
|
| Summary |
|
In-home health care monitoring devices are gaining in prominence. Technological improvements in networking, wireless communications, and the miniaturization of electronics have resulted in a suite of emerging technologies that rely on the collection of information from within the home, from an individual’s body, or both. This new technology brings with it significant potential benefits for both society as a whole and individual citizens, such as reducing strain on health care systems through a more preventative (rather than reactive) approach to potential health care problems, which generally improves an individual’s clinical outcomes and/or independence. In order to create these benefits, however, significant and continuous data collection about the individual is required. Until now, these data have not been accessible, as technologies were not sufficiently advanced to collect necessary information accurately, reliably, and securely. It is important to recognise that these data tend to be of a highly sensitive nature, as they are collected either directly about the individual or about actions taken within his or her home (traditionally the most privacy protected location in one’s daily life). As such, people’s privacy must be at the forefront of these new technologies and be strongly protected. In this white paper, we describe a general technology that is commonly used to collect data for in-home health care monitoring systems – sensors and sensor networks. We then identify the points of interest within such a system with regard to privacy, and describe some of the considerations that might be made when determining appropriate privacy protections. To demonstrate this approach, we will describe examples of devices being developed by the Univeristy of Toronto's Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab (IATSL). |
|
|
| Keywords |
|
Home health care, sensors, remote monitoring, Privacy by Design, IATSL |
|
|
| Author(s) |
|
Ann Cavoukian, Ph.D.
Information & Privacy Commissioner,
Ontario,
Canada
Alex Mihailidis, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Associate Professor, University of Toronto; Barbara G. Stymiest Research Chair in Rehabilitation Technology, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Jennifer Boger, M.A.Sc., P.Eng.
Research Manager, University of Toronto; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute |
|
|
| Published Date |
|
Aug 25, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
<<
Back |
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
 |
|
|
|
© Copyright
2013
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. All Rights Reserved.
|