Doctors Are Using AI Scribes More Than Ever—Here’s What That Means for Your Privacy

You may have noticed your doctor typing less during appointments recently. Instead, they might be using an “AI scribe” – software that listens to your conversation and automatically writes up clinical notes. These tools are becoming standard in many clinics, and for good reason: they save time, reduce burnout, and let doctors focus on you rather than a screen.

But the rapid adoption has caught the attention of the Australian government, which issued a warning in July 2026 about the privacy risks these tools pose. If you’re a patient, it’s worth understanding what data is being collected, where it goes, and what you can do about it.

What happened

The Australian government’s Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) released a statement expressing concern about the growing use of AI scribes in healthcare settings. According to reports, including coverage in The Guardian, the warning highlights that many patients may not be aware their conversations are being recorded, transcribed, and often processed in the cloud by third-party AI services.

AI scribes work by capturing audio from the consultation, converting it into text, then using large language models to generate structured clinical notes. This data can be stored on servers owned by technology companies, sometimes outside Australia. The OAIC has emphasised that health information is “sensitive information” under Australian privacy law, meaning doctors must obtain explicit consent before collecting it – and that consent must be informed.

Yet in practice, patients are rarely told the tool is in use, let alone asked for permission.

Why it matters

Even well-intentioned AI tools introduce new privacy risks. The most obvious is a data breach: if a scribe’s server is compromised, your medical history, symptoms, medications, and even personal identifiers could be exposed. Because health data is highly sensitive, it’s also a prime target for identity theft and fraud.

Less obvious is the risk of secondary use. Some AI scribe providers may use de-identified data to train or improve their models. While de-identification is supposed to protect individuals, it’s not always perfect – particularly with small datasets or rare conditions. There’s also the chance that a company’s privacy policies change, or that data could be accessed under a foreign legal order.

Beyond the technical risks, there’s a transparency problem. Many patients don’t even know the tool is there. You can’t give meaningful consent if you’re unaware. And once your words are captured, you have limited control over how they’re used or deleted.

What you can do

If you’re concerned about your privacy during medical appointments, here are several steps that are within your control.

Ask your doctor directly. Before or at the start of an appointment, simply ask: “Are you using any AI or automated tool to record or transcribe our conversation?” Most doctors will be honest. If they say yes, you can ask which company provides the service and where the data is stored.

Request an opt-out. If you’re uncomfortable, you have the right to ask for the AI scribe to be turned off. Some clinics may require you to sign a form or note it in your record. If the clinic refuses, you can consider switching providers, though that may not be practical for everyone.

Review the clinic’s privacy policy. Many clinics now have a digital privacy policy available on their website or at reception. Look for mentions of “transcription,” “AI,” or “third-party data processors.” If it’s vague or silent on the topic, that itself is a red flag.

Ask about a non-digital alternative. While less common, you can request that notes be taken manually by the doctor or a scribe without AI. This might slow things down, but it avoids the cloud component.

Consider using a pseudonym or limiting details. For highly sensitive issues, you may choose to share only necessary information, but this can compromise care quality. Weigh the risk against the benefit.

The bigger picture

AI scribes are likely here to stay. They offer real benefits: reduced administrative load, fewer errors in notes, and more face time with patients. But like any technology that handles sensitive data, they need guardrails. The Australian government’s warning is a reminder that privacy protections must keep pace with adoption.

For now, patients should stay informed and not hesitate to ask questions. Your health data belongs to you – and you deserve to know who else has access to it.

Sources:

  • The Guardian (July 2026): “Doctors’ soaring use of AI scribes prompts Australian government warning over privacy”
  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) public statement, July 2026
  • General information on AI scribe functionality and privacy risks