Perspectives Regarding the Privacy, Security, and Confidentiality of Data Collected via mHealth Apps in Saudi Arabia: Qualitative Analysis

Background: As Saudi Arabia aims to enhance the adoption and utilization of mobile health (mHealth) apps in the health care sector, it is vital to identify the potential challenges that may be faced in the process and how to address them. Objective: This study aimed to explore patients’ and stakeholders’ perspectives regarding the privacy, security, and confidentiality of data collected via mHealth apps in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A qualitative research design was used by conducting an in-depth interview with 25 participants, comprising health care workers (HCWs), patients, and mHealth app developers. The interview questions focused on awareness of mHealth apps and issues relating to data security, privacy and confidentiality, benefits of mHealth apps, challenges faced, and features that may improve the utilization of such digital health technologies. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo software (version 12; QSR International). Results: Patients were relatively less informed regarding events associated with data privacy and security than HCWs. Specific factors were identified to influence patient awareness with HCWs, suggesting the need for patient education and collaboration with cybersecurity organizations. Participants posited that advanced security features, user-friendly features, online consultation for emergencies, remote monitoring features, and taking patient needs into account are important facilitators of mHealth apps. Shared experiences mainly revolved around the accessibility to information and reliability of mHealth apps, while the challenges were related to poor usability, technical difficulties, data security, and data breaches. Patient autonomy, remote monitoring, self-care management, medical adherence, and time and cost-saving summed up the perceived benefits of the mHealth app. Conclusions: These findings may assist policymakers in developing strategies to improve Saudi users’ and patients’ adoption of mHealth apps and address the concerns raised to benefit significantly from these advanced health care modalities.