WPS Office is a productivity suite that provides users with tools for creating, editing, and sharing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It includes features like document formatting, collaboration tools, PDF conversion, and cloud storage integration for productivity and accessibility.
Is WPS Office HIPAA compliant?
No, WPS Office is not HIPAA compliant. Our research indicates that WPS Office does not meet the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements to safeguard protected health information (PHI).
Will WPS Office sign a business associate agreement (BAA)?
No, WPS Office will not sign a business associate agreement and therefore is not HIPAA compliant.
HIPAA requires that when a service provider handles PHI on behalf of a covered entity, they must sign a BAA. Since WPS Office does not offer this agreement, it cannot be used in HIPAA compliant environments, like healthcare organizations or insurance companies.
On January 5th, 2021, former president Donald Trump issued an executive order prohibiting transactions with WPS Office over concerns that the app could access sensitive PHI and private data.
Specifically, the former president explained, “The United States has assessed that a number of Chinese-connected software applications automatically capture vast swaths of information from millions of users in the United States, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information, which would allow the [People’s Republic of China] and [Chinese Communist Party] access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information.”
Conclusion
WPS Office does not sign a BAA and does not implement the technical safeguards needed to protect PHI. Therefore, it is not HIPAA compliant.
Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
FAQs
What is a business associate agreement?
A business associate agreement (BAA) is a legally binding contract establishing a relationship between a covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its business associates. The purpose of this agreement is to ensure the proper protection of personal health information (PHI) as required by HIPAA regulations.
What is HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets national standards for protecting the privacy and security of certain health information, known as protected health information (PHI). HIPAA is designed to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ health information and to ensure that healthcare providers and insurers can securely exchange electronic health information. Violations of HIPAA can result in significant fines and penalties for covered entities.
Who does HIPAA apply to?
HIPAA applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. It also applies to business associates of these covered entities. These are entities that perform certain functions or activities on behalf of the covered entity.
