1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the evolving risks to patient privacy posed by modern cell phone and artificial intelligence technologies. As you may know, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was established to protect sensitive health information, yet the rapid advancement of technology has created an environment where passive listening and unauthorized data collection could violate those protections. Reports and headlines have increasingly outlined how our devices—cell phones, smart assistants, and other connected technologies—listen to conversations, gather information, and sell personal data, often without the user’s explicit consent. In healthcare settings and other sensitive environments, such breaches could result in unacceptable disclosures of protected patient information. This threatens not only individual privacy but also public trust in our healthcare system. To address these concerns, I urge you to consider sponsoring legislation that: 1. Prohibits data harvesting in sensitive locations like hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. 2. Mandates that technology companies secure explicit user consent before any data collection occurs. 3. Creates “red-lined” zones where any passive listening or unauthorized data collection by devices or software is strictly illegal. Ensuring patient privacy requires not only adherence to existing HIPAA regulations but also forward-thinking protections that keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies. Healthcare professionals and patients alike need assurances that their personal and private information will not be accessed, harvested, or sold without authorization. I appreciate your leadership in safeguarding the rights and privacy of Washingtonians, and I hope you will champion legislation to address these critical concerns. If I can provide any additional information or context, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your time and dedication to this important matter. I look forward to your response.