Users are asked to review and sign an updated Personal Information Processing Agreement that reflects Practice Better’s updated data residency.
In this article:
The PIPA Amendment: What You Need to Do
If you previously signed a Personal Information Processing Agreement (PIPA) with Practice Better prior to June 2026, you will be prompted in-app to review and countersign an updated version of that agreement.
Section 7.1 of the PIPA has been updated to reflect the new data storage location. The key change reads:
The Customer acknowledges and expressly agrees that the Provider stores personally identifiable health and medical records in the United States, using a primary data centre with back-ups stored in U.S., for redundancy and disaster recovery purposes.
When you see the in-app prompt, please select “Review & Sign Amendment” and countersign the updated agreement. This step is required to ensure your agreement reflects our current practices.
If you require a copy of the previous version of your PIPA agreement, please contact us at help@practicebetter.io from the email address associated with your Practice Better account.
Information for Canadian Users
This change affects Canadian users as well. Your client's health data is now stored on U.S.-based servers rather than primarily on Canadian servers and backed up to U.S. servers.
Practice Better has taken steps to ensure this transfer meets applicable Canadian privacy requirements, including maintaining AWS Data Processing Agreements that provide protective provisions for cross-border data transfers.
⚠️ Important: Under Canadian privacy law — including Quebec Law 25 and PIPEDA — you have an obligation to notify your clients about this change in how their data is stored. We recommend consulting with your own legal or privacy advisor to understand your specific obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I don’t countersign the PIPA amendment?
A: Failure to countersign the amended agreement may create a compliance risk on your end, which is why we are providing you with an amended agreement to ensure your agreement accurately reflects how your data is being handled.
Q: Has my client data always been stored only in Canada?
A: No. Practice Better's infrastructure has always included US-based storage. The original PIPA Section 7.1 disclosed that while the primary data center was located in Quebec, Canada, backups were stored in the United States for disaster recovery purposes. The upcoming migration consolidates both primary and backup storage to US-based data centers.
Learn more about Practice Better Data Residency →
Q: Does this comply with Canadian privacy laws?
A: Yes. Neither PIPEDA, Quebec Law 25, nor provincial PIPA legislation prohibit storing personal information outside of Canada. These laws permit cross-border storage and processing provided that appropriate safeguards are in place, which Practice Better maintains through Data Processing Agreements with AWS, encryption, and access controls.
Q: What if I require Canadian-only data storage for my practice?
A: Unfortunately, Practice Better does not currently offer region-specific data residency options.
Q: Will my client data be subject to US jurisdiction?
A: When data is stored in the United States, it may be subject to US jurisdiction, including the CLOUD Act or other US legal processes. However, this does not violate Canadian privacy laws, which permit cross-border storage with appropriate safeguards.