Google Chrome is not HIPAA compliant as a standalone product, and its use in a HIPAA regulated environment is limited to serving as a managed user agent for accessing systems that are configured for HIPAA compliance and governed by a signed HIPAA Business Associate agreement where applicable.
HIPAA applies to covered entities and business associates, not to web browsers as a category, so the compliance question turns on whether use of Chrome creates an impermissible use or disclosure of electronic protected health information and whether required administrative, physical, and technical safeguards are in place under the HIPAA Security Rule and HIPAA Privacy Rule. A browser can transmit identifiers, URLs, form content, telemetry, and third-party tracking data depending on settings, extensions, and the websites accessed. When those data elements are tied to an individual and a healthcare context, they can constitute protected health information.
Google’s Privacy Sandbox changes how advertising and tracking functions operate in Chrome by shifting from third party cookies toward browser mediated advertising APIs. That change is not a HIPAA control and does not remove HIPAA obligations related to tracking technologies. A healthcare organization using Chrome to access patient portals, scheduling pages, or authenticated applications should treat browser level advertising and tracking features as a potential disclosure pathway and apply governance that limits third party tracking and non approved extensions when electronic protected health information is accessible.
Google is willing to sign a HIPAA Business Associate agreement for certain services, but the agreement scope is not Chrome itself. Google states, “Customers who have not signed a BAA with Google must not use PHI in Google Workspace or Cloud Identity services.” A HIPAA covered entity or business associate can use Google Workspace services that are within Google’s HIPAA included functionality only after executing the Business Associate agreement and configuring those services and access controls to meet HIPAA requirements.
For Chrome deployments, HIPAA aligned use generally requires enterprise management of browser settings, restriction of extensions, controlled sign in and synchronization behavior, and separation of regulated workflows from consumer accounts and non covered services. If electronic protected health information is entered into or transmitted through services that are outside the scope of an executed Business Associate agreement, Chrome use does not cure the disclosure and the regulated entity remains responsible for the violation.