The Triangle of Death for Privacy in Medical Settings
Issue: • Author/s: Marianna Bergamaschi Ganapini
Topics: Ethics, Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of action, Philosophy of Medicine
This paper explores the structural, ethical, and regulatory impediments to effective privacy protection in the healthcare sector, conceptualised as the “triangle of death for medical data privacy.” The triangle comprises three mutually reinforcing elements: (1) the irresistible convenience of insecure digital tools for healthcare professionals; (2) the underdeveloped privacy risk perception among patients; and (3) an accountability vacuum in regulatory enforcement. While European laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are in place, real-world practices, especially the use of WhatsApp by clinical staff, illustrate the systemic failure to protect…