Privacy Policy

Walk Test

version 1.0 of April 4th, 2023

This Privacy Policy explains the information we will collect using the Walk Test mobile application ( “the Assessment App” or “the App”), and how we will use it for research at the University of Chicago (“U of C”) /University of Chicago Medical Center (“UCMC”).

This App uses Apple Inc’s HealthKit health database framework to collect some of its data. The details for the security of Apple’s HealthKit database may be found at the “Protecting access to user’s health data” section of the Apple Platform Security guide (both retrieved 4 April 2023).

Prior to using the App, you will be asked to consent to participate in research using the App approved by the Institutional Review Board (“IRB”) of the U of C/UCMC.  You will be asked to read and sign an informed consent document that describes the nature, purpose and duration of the research, the procedures, risks and benefits of participation, information about confidentiality and handling of the data, a point of contact for follow-up, and how to withdraw from the study. You should read that document carefully and ask any questions that you may have before signing it.

This Privacy Policy incorporates by reference the content of the informed consent document. If the language of the informed consent conflicts with this Privacy Policy, the informed consent will control.

HealthKit

The Assessment App accesses the HealthKit framework provided by Apple, Inc. HealthKit keeps records of health-related information in storage secured by the iPhone operating system (iOS). Applications and the device itself may access or update that information to provide a complete, efficient, and confidential picture of your health.

The App cannot read or write data under HealthKit’s custody without your express consent, collected through iOS itself. Your phone will ask your permission for our Application to access data contained within HealthKit.

Basic information

The Assessment App will ask you for access to the following information if it is recorded on your phone:

Step data: The Application will ask for access to your step/motion data back to when you first used your phone. It will NOT retrieve your location history. 

Alteration of records

The Assessment App will NOT change or delete information contained within HealthKit in any way.  It is designed only to copy existing information to be used for research purposes. It does not record any information.  It will not store information from HealthKit or any other personal health information (PHI) in any online (“cloud”) service such as iCloud.

Once the App has collected your steps it cannot be changed in its reports.

Transmission, use, and storage

When the Assessment App has collected all the information needed for the study, it will upload the information via a server. 

Once the App forwards the collected information, it will destroy the copy on the phone. It is never stored; if you must interrupt your use of the App for a significant period, you will have to start the process from the beginning, because the App cannot recover it.

The email containing the file attachments will be sent to the research team and the data will only be viewed by them on secure computers.  The information obtained from HealthKit will not be shared with any third party for any purpose. The data will be handled confidentially in accordance with the IRB and well-established procedures of of UCMC outlined in UCMC’s General Privacy Practices.

To use our Application, you must also be a patient at UCMC .  You understand that as a patient of UCMC’s, UCMC may also collect, store, maintain, use, and/or disclose certain personal information consistent with UCMC’s Notice of Privacy Practices (“NPP”) located at:  http://www.uchospitals.edu/visitor/for-patients/privacy/notice.html].  Please contact UCMC if you have any questions about its NPP.

Revision History

1.0 2023-03-04 Document Release Candidate