Concerns about data sharing with Privacy Statements from Medtronic

Hey everybody.  This is my first time posting, but I've found a wealth of info from this forum as a viewer, but thought I'd jump in to the discussion.  Maybe this has been covered previously, but does anyone have issues with the Privacy Statements that PM companies use?  I literally don't have a choice to allow them to collect and sell my data.  

A little background.  Turned 40, got the surprise of a lifetime getting a PM installed for an AV II heartblock. Avid runner, a bunch of kids, a beautiful wife.  It was a shock (see what I did there). Since installation, they've had to up my upper range higher and higher (I Winke Bach'd myself on a run) but they've got it dialed in now.  I went through the usual panic that it seems like people go through, but have come to accept my PM.

Where I'm recently struggling is using the Medtronic MyCareLink Heart app.  They keep pushing app updates, and when they do, each time you're required to accept the Privacy Statement.  Here it is: https://global.medtronic.com/xg-en/privacy-statement.html.  Each time, it is a reminder that they hold the keys to my personal data and can sell it if they wish.  I know they say that they won't, but I was contacted less than a week post op for additional monitoring service by some 3rd party; they sell the data.

My issue is that I had no choice for a PM.  Sitting with the EP, he said "Here's what we're putting in".  Okay, cool.  He didn't show me 9 different models or anything.  Therefore, I didn't have a choice.  As we all know, monitoring is part of the PM, so I once again don't have a choice and have to agree to their terms in the app.  Even if you go with a home monitor, it's the same dance. 

I find this problematic.  I didn't have a choice in the deal, but now I can have data collected on me.  Do other companies do the same thing?  Has everyone just accepted this one too like FB using your pictures of your food to figure out what to advertise to you?  I don't know if I'm acting too tin foil hat or if there is a real reason to write a member of congress :)

Scott

1 Comments

Private data

by AgentX86 - 2021-03-09 23:50:53

IANAL but it seems to be that this privacy statement only applies to the online data collected from that web site.  It does not cover data collected from your pacemaker.  Meical data would be covered under HIPPA.

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