Up to €600,000 Fines For Medical Staff in Spain Who Share Sensitive Information on Social Media

Health Services in Aragon, Spain, warn that these practices may violate data protection laws.

A NOTICE from Health Services in Aragon has warned that medical professionals who are caught sharing information related to the coronavirus on WhatsApp may face sanctions of up to €600,000.

This particular notice bears the signature of the manager of the health sector in Huesca, Jose Ignacio Castaño. The note insists that all information related to the coronavirus should be restricted as much as possible, especially in aspects such as, how hospitals or health centres are being affected by it, aspects of the health services provided, and organisational aspects.

This notice warns that “WhatsApp is an instant messaging service routinely used for personal purposes, so its improper use by health professionals can lead to serious economic sanctions, reaching up to €600,000.”

This internal instruction insists that doctors and other personnel from hospitals or health centres “Should avoid communicating data relating to health or health organisations through this medium as it cannot guarantee the integrity or confidentiality of the information.”

According to the internal notice professional received, any health data related to the coronavirus must be shared for a justified and professional reason, via a “secure medium” and “which is required to be consistent with its content.”

Written by

Laura Kemp

Originally from UK, Laura is based in Axarquia and is a writer for the Euro Weekly News covering news and features. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

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