Friday, July 26, 2013

ARRL: No Changes Needed to Encryption Rules


We reported last month that Don Rolph, AB1PH, had petitioned the FCC to permit encryption of certain sensitive information in the course of emergency and emergency-preparedness communications, to avoid running afoul of privacy restrictions in HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. When the FCC posted the petition for comment, the ARRL filed comments in opposition, pointing out that HIPAA rules apply only to health care providers, insurance companies and health care clearinghouses, and ARRL Letter, the League also said it is unaware of any instances in which served agencies have been reluctant to use amateur radio as part of their emergency or disaster plans because of personal privacy issues. The timing of this filing was unusual for the ARRL, which usually waits until the FCC issues a Notice of Proposed Rule Making before filing formal comments on petitions.
that there never has been an expectation of privacy in amateur radio communications. According to the