The healthcare industry is in the midst of a digital transformation: technological innovation offers opportunities for better, more efficient and cheaper care, but also poses new challenges in the areas of privacy and information security. The continued growth of healthcare apps, data services, electronic records and the use of AI make privacy issues more urgent. Health data is "special personal data" under the AVG, which is subject to extra protection - and necessary, given the sensitivity and potential impact of data breaches, cyberattacks and big data trading.

Data sharing between healthcare professionals is increasingly digital, putting pressure on traditional professional confidentiality and the confidential bond with patients. This raises questions around governance, interprofessional collaboration, ethics and regulatory compliance. Innovations such as home diagnostics and platforms such as the National Switch Point (LSP) are changing the healthcare landscape, while informal communication channels such as WhatsApp and e-mail pose new risks.

The central challenge: how does the privacy and autonomy of citizens remain leading in a healthcare system increasingly driven by data and technology? This dossier explores current legislation, practical dilemmas, oversight, the role of new technologies, and the question of how professional secrecy and trust remain safeguarded - with input from experts, case studies and public discussion.