Last Updated: May 13, 2024
The BC Virtual Visit Mobile App ("BCVV app") is a provincial mobile app solution that enables video visits with a health care provider using a personal smartphone, tablet, or computer.
The BCVV app is used by the following participating health organizations: Island Health (VIHA), Northern Health Authority (NHA), Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Providence Health Care (PHC), and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
Each participating health organization maintains their own virtual health practice and is responsible and accountable for the management of their own practice configurations, data and access. Please refer to your health organization's privacy policy for information on their handling of your personal information in relation to virtual health visits.
This privacy policy explains how personal information may be collected, used, and shared when using the BCVV app. It describes the types of personal information that may be collected, how it may be used, and how you can contact participating health organizations with respect to your use of the BCVV app.
The following types and categories of personal information may be collected when you use the BCVV app:
- Demographic data such as first name, last name, patient identifiers, email address, address, phone number, date of birth, preferred language, gender
- Health and fitness information
- Photos and videos
- Approximate location
- App activity such as app interactions, user-generated content
- App information such as logs, diagnostics, performance-related data, usage information
- Digital interaction information such as browser and operation system versions, IP address, and camera and microphone hardware IDs
Personal information may be used for the following purposes:
- Account management
- Identification and authentication
- Scheduling of virtual health visits
- Appointment notifications, reminders and cancellations
- Online intake forms
- Virtual audio video visits including text (chat)
- Provision of health care
- Post-appointment surveys
- Diagnostics for troubleshooting, service support, and to monitor app health and performance
- Fraud prevention, security, and compliance
- Program evaluation and quality improvement
- How Personal Information Is Shared
Personal information is shared with service providers who are contracted to perform services or functions. Contractual controls are used to protect this information and to limit its use to what is necessary for the service provider to perform the service.
Personal information is not disclosed for any purpose other than what has been described in this privacy policy.
Cookies and similar technologies are used to enable essential app functionality. Cookies are automatically cleared at the end of each session.
Personal information is safeguarded using reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational security controls to protect against unauthorized access, use, loss, and disclosure of personal information.
Security measures include, but are not limited to, network security, data encryption, and access controls.
Personal information is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this privacy policy or as otherwise required to meet legal or regulatory requirements.
For more information about the handling of your personal information in the BCVV app, please refer to your health Organization's Privacy Policy or contact your Health Organization Privacy Office:
If you have questions about the BCVV Mobile App Privacy Policy please contact privacy@phsa.ca.
