Data Privacy in Autonomous Healthcare Systems: A Human Right Concern

In an era where digital healthcare systems process the personal health information of billions globally, the fundamental human right to privacy stands as the last guardian between human dignity and digital exploitation. The intersection of data privacy and human rights in healthcare represents a critical challenge where violations constitute fundamental breaches of human dignity, autonomy, and access to care. This research examines autonomous healthcare data privacy through the lens of human rights, analysing how violations of healthcare data privacy constitute fundamental breaches of human rights principles, including dignity, autonomy, non-discrimination, and access to healthcare. The study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding autonomous healthcare data protection as a cornerstone of human rights protection in the digital age. A systematic literature review and doctrinal methodology were employed. The study identified that the right to privacy, enshrined in international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, provides the foundation for protecting individuals from arbitrary interference with their most sensitive personal information. Digital and autonomous healthcare system data privacy signifies a fundamental human right essential for protecting human dignity, requiring recognition that data protection is not merely technical but a cornerstone of human rights protection. The integration of autonomous intelligence has introduced new dimensions of human rights challenges that require updated approaches addressing unique risks posed by machine learning systems. In our interconnected world, a violation of privacy anywhere becomes a threat to human dignity everywhere. Future healthcare privacy protection depends on a collective commitment to comprehensive legal frameworks, advanced technological solutions, and strong international cooperation that prioritises human dignity while enabling beneficial uses of health data for improving global health outcomes.