Which of the following technological advancements is MOST likely to pose a risk for HIPAA violations?

The option that is most likely to pose a risk for HIPAA violations is social media. This is because social media platforms inherently prioritize wide accessibility and sharing, which can lead to unintentional disclosures of protected health information (PHI). Healthcare workers, including Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), might inadvertently share patient information or discuss cases in a way that breaches confidentiality when engaging with social media, making it critical for staff to clearly understand and adhere to HIPAA regulations.

While word processing programs, spreadsheets, and cloud storage can also pose risks, they are typically used in more controlled environments where safeguards, such as passwords and encryption, can be implemented. Social media lacks these controls inherently and is designed for public engagement, increasing the likelihood of posting sensitive information without proper considerations for privacy and compliance with HIPAA standards.