Improving security and privacy for mobile health apps
Official title: A Framework for mHealth App Security and Privacy Analysis
Funded at Ubitrix International, INC. · NIH-10918331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on making health apps safer for you by helping the people who create these apps understand how to keep your personal health information private and secure, so you can trust using them without worrying about data breaches.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ubitrix International, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $917,997 |
| NIH project number | 5R42LM014356-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients who actively use mHealth apps for managing their health information and are concerned about data privacy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use mobile health applications or are not concerned about data privacy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the security and privacy of mobile health (mHealth) applications that patients use for managing their health information. It aims to develop tools that help app developers ensure their applications comply with HIPAA regulations, protecting patients' private health data. By analyzing how these apps store and transmit sensitive information, the project seeks to prevent data breaches that can compromise patient confidentiality. The research will also address the lack of awareness among developers regarding security standards, ultimately aiming to improve trust in mHealth technologies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer mHealth apps that better protect patient data, enhancing user confidence and health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted the importance of mobile device security, but this approach to mHealth app security is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Ubitrix International, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahamed, Sheikh Iqbal — Ubitrix International, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ahamed, Sheikh Iqbal
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.