What Patients Need to Know About AI Scribes in Doctor’s Offices — and the Privacy Risks

More doctors are using AI tools to transcribe conversations during appointments. These “AI scribes” listen, turn speech into text, and generate clinical notes. For physicians, the appeal is obvious: less time typing, more time with patients. But a recent warning from Australian regulators has raised questions about who else might be listening.

The Australian Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) issued the warning after observing a sharp increase in the use of these tools by healthcare providers. The concern is not that the technology doesn’t work — it often does — but that patients may not know their conversations are being recorded, stored, or shared with third parties.

What happened

In early July 2026, the OAIC published a statement cautioning both doctors and patients about the privacy implications of AI scribes. The warning followed reports that some clinics had adopted these tools without clear consent processes or adequate data safeguards. The commissioner emphasised that health information is among the most sensitive types of personal data under Australian law, and any mishandling can have serious consequences.

The warning did not single out specific products, but it highlighted common risks: conversations may be sent to cloud servers, retained for longer than necessary, or used to train AI models — possibly without the patient’s knowledge. Some services may also share data with parent companies or analytics firms.

Why it matters beyond Australia

The use of AI scribes is growing quickly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and elsewhere. In the US, medical associations have raised similar concerns about data security and patient consent. European data protection authorities have also flagged the need for transparency when AI processes health data.

The core issue is that patients often have no way of knowing whether an AI scribe is in use. The tool might be embedded in a tablet the doctor carries, or run as a background app on a desktop. A patient may walk into an exam room assuming the conversation is private, only to have it transcribed and stored by an algorithm.

The risks include:

  • Data breaches: Cloud-stored transcripts can be targeted by hackers.
  • Secondary use: Recordings or transcripts may be used to improve the AI service, which could mean patient data leaving the healthcare system.
  • Inadequate retention policies: Some services keep data indefinitely unless a clinic pays for a delete option.
  • Lack of oversight: Not all clinics review the privacy practices of the AI scribe vendor thoroughly.

What readers can do

If you are concerned about the privacy of your medical conversations, there are practical steps you can take.

  1. Ask before the visit. When booking an appointment, ask whether the doctor uses an AI scribe. If they do, request details about how the data is stored, who has access to it, and how long it is kept.

  2. Opt out if you are uncomfortable. You have the right to refuse the use of such tools. In many jurisdictions, doctors must obtain your consent before recording or transcribing your consultation. If you are not comfortable, ask the doctor to turn it off or take notes manually.

  3. Review privacy policies. If a clinic provides a patient portal or consent form, look for language about AI transcription. It may be buried in the terms. If the policy is vague or absent, raise the issue with the practice manager.

  4. File a complaint if needed. If you believe your health data has been mishandled, contact your local privacy regulator. In Australia, that is the OAIC. In the US, the Office for Civil Rights handles HIPAA complaints. In the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office.

No single step guarantees total protection, but being informed and vocal can help shift practice norms. Doctors who hear from patients may think twice before adopting a tool without full transparency.

Sources

The Guardian. “Doctors’ soaring use of AI scribes prompts Australian government warning over privacy.” Published July 5, 2026. Link to article

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. “Privacy considerations for AI scribes in healthcare.” July 2026. [Official statement, if available, or reference to the warning noted in the Guardian article.]

This article is based on publicly available reporting and is intended for informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice.