HIPAA-Compliant Alternatives to Google Analytics

The healthcare industry faces a critical problem: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is not HIPAA compliant, yet it's the most widely used analytics platform. Recent legal actions, including the $18.7 million Aspen Dental settlement, have highlighted the significant risks healthcare organizations face when using standard analytics tools that inadvertently capture Protected Health Information (PHI).

The Problem: GA4 and HIPAA Don't Mix

Google Analytics 4 collects extensive user data—IP addresses, user interactions, and behavioral patterns—that can inadvertently capture PHI. The platform uses client-side tracking, which means data is transmitted directly from users' browsers to Google's servers without any intermediary processing.

This creates a critical compliance gap: healthcare organizations have no control over what data gets sent to Google, and the platform doesn't offer a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), which is typically required for HIPAA compliance. This creates a fundamental conflict: healthcare organizations need analytics insights to optimize their digital presence, but GA4's client-side data collection methods can put them at risk of HIPAA violations.

Real-World Consequences: Recent Legal Cases

The Aspen Dental case demonstrates the financial impact of non-compliant analytics. Aspen Dental agreed to pay $18.7 million to resolve claims that it violated consumer privacy rights by using Meta and Google tracking pixels on its website. The lawsuit alleged that the company collected sensitive information about visitors and shared this information with third parties, violating privacy laws.

Similarly, Blue Shield of California faced a data breach when Google Ads tracking pixels on their website inadvertently transmitted PHI back to Google's servers. This incident exposed patient information through Google's advertising platform, creating a significant compliance violation.

The Anthem settlement with HHS serves as another example of how improper data handling can lead to massive regulatory penalties. While not directly related to GA4, it underscores the serious consequences of HIPAA violations in healthcare organizations.

These cases illustrate a clear pattern: healthcare organizations using standard analytics tools without proper safeguards face substantial legal and financial repercussions.

The Solution: Ours Privacy Helps Support HIPAA Compliance Efforts

Ours Privacy addresses this challenge by enabling healthcare organizations to continue using Google Analytics (GA4) while helping strip identifiers and route data through our servers, which may assist with compliance efforts. Schedule a free consultation to see how our platform can help your organization. Here's how it works:

Selective Data Control: You maintain full control over what data gets included. We allow you to selectively add back specific data points you deem appropriate for your analytics needs.

Automatic Synthetic Geolocation: Our platform generates synthetic geolocation data that avoids sending actual IP addresses while still providing location visibility in your analytics platform.

Dynamic URL Mapping: Our platform provides flexible URL manipulation capabilities. You can remove sensitive parts of URLs or remap certain URL components to maintain compliance while preserving valuable analytics data.

Same GA4 Benefits: You keep all the powerful features you rely on—conversion tracking, audience insights, and campaign performance data—without compromising patient privacy.

This approach provides the robust analytics capabilities of GA4 while helping support data security through server-side processing and identifier removal.

HIPAA-Compliant Alternatives to Google Analytics (GA4)

1. Ours Privacy

Ours Privacy enables healthcare organizations to continue using GA4 while helping strip identifiers and route data through secure servers. The platform provides automatic de-identification, selective data control, synthetic geolocation, and dynamic URL mapping while maintaining all GA4 functionality. Book a free demo to explore how our solution can support your compliance efforts. Note: Organizations should consult with legal counsel to determine their specific HIPAA compliance requirements.

2. Piwik PRO

A comprehensive analytics suite designed with privacy in mind, Piwik PRO offers features similar to GA4 including analytics, tag management, and consent management. The platform provides a BAA and ensures all data processing aligns with HIPAA standards.

3. Mixpanel

Known for in-depth product and user behavior analytics, Mixpanel offers HIPAA-compliant solutions tailored for healthcare organizations. The platform focuses on event-based tracking and provides customizable reports within a compliant framework.

4. Matomo

An open-source analytics platform, Matomo offers full data ownership and self-hosting capabilities. The platform provides IP anonymization and the ability to sign a BAA, making it suitable for healthcare providers who need complete control over their data.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare organizations face significant risks when using non-compliant analytics tools. The legal and financial consequences can be substantial, and the regulatory landscape continues to evolve with stricter enforcement. Ours Privacy provides a practical approach: continue using GA4 while routing data through our servers for automatic de-identification and dynamic data mapping.

The choice is clear: either abandon the analytics insights you need to optimize your digital presence, or implement a solution that processes data through secure servers before sending to GA4. Ours Privacy makes the latter option simple and effective.

Important Disclaimer: HIPAA compliance is complex and organization-specific. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Healthcare organizations should consult with qualified legal counsel to determine their specific compliance requirements and obligations.