Albertans not affected by data breach, says telehealth app maker

EDMON TON The U.k.-based makers of a telehealth app being used in Alberta say a recent data breach didn’t affect Canadian users.

Babylon Health says three people in the U.K. were able to access video recordings of other patients’ consultations for approximately two hours on Tuesday.

“This was the result of a software error rather than a malicious attack. The problem was identified and resolved quickly,” the company said in a statement Wednesday.

The app allows patients to meet with doctors from home and a version operated by Telus was promoted by the Alberta government as part of its response to COVID -19.

Babylon Health spokesperson

Ed Sykes said the error was caused when people who booked an audio-only consultation that day then switched to video.

The company says international operations were not impacted and the U.K.’S Information Commissioner’s office has been notified.

The Alberta version of the app is already the focus of two investigations by the province’s privacy commissioner, Jill Clayton.

In April, Clayton said the first investigation would address “compliance concerns” with the app, while the second would probe whether the app is adhering to the Personal Information Protection Act, Alberta’s private-sector privacy law.

She encouraged Albertans with concerns to not use the app while the investigation was taking place.

A spokesperson for Clayton’s office said Wednesday that there have been no breach reports suggesting Albertans’ information was compromised by the incident in the U.K. Her separate investigation into Babylon is ongoing and no timeline has been set for when it will be complete.