Is Figma HIPAA Compliant? BAA, PHI Risks, and Secure Alternatives

Figma's HIPAA Compliance Policies

Short answer: no—Figma is not a tool you should use to create, receive, maintain, or transmit Protected Health Information (PHI). Figma’s Acceptable Use Policy explicitly prohibits uploading patient or medical information, including PHI under HIPAA, which places the platform outside the HIPAA Compliance Framework for regulated data flows. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/legal/aup/))

Because HIPAA requires a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) whenever a vendor creates, receives, maintains, or transmits PHI on your behalf, a platform that forbids PHI use is, by design, not positioned to act as your Business Associate. In practice, that means you cannot rely on Figma for HIPAA-regulated content, and you must keep design assets free of PHI at all times. ([hhs.gov](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/business-associates/index.html?utm_source=openai))

Security Certifications and Audits

Figma invests in strong, independently assessed security controls, including an SOC 2 Type II audit and SOC 3 report, plus certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27018. It also participates in frameworks like the Cloud Security Alliance CAIQ and the EU Cloud Code of Conduct, and has additional attestations (e.g., C5, TISAX). These credentials demonstrate mature security practices but are not a substitute for signing a HIPAA BAA or permitting PHI in the product. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/security/))

Figma for Government Use

Figma offers a separate “Figma for Government” environment that is FedRAMP Moderate Authorization–aligned and operates in a FedRAMP-authorized, FIPS 140-2 validated environment—useful for U.S. public-sector teams that require standardized federal security controls. Note, however, that this is a government-focused security baseline, not HIPAA, and the iOS/Android mobile app for this environment is noted as secure but not FedRAMP compliant. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/government/))

Risks of Using Figma with PHI

• Contractual gap: Without a BAA, any PHI in Figma would violate HIPAA’s requirement to bind business associates to safeguard obligations—creating legal and breach-notification risk. ([hhs.gov](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/sample-business-associate-agreement-provisions?utm_source=openai))
• Policy violation: Figma’s own Acceptable Use Policy bans PHI, so uploading it can lead to data removal or account actions and leaves you without required HIPAA assurances. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/legal/aup/))
• Workflow leakage: Plugins, widgets, or external exports can route data to third parties outside your compliance perimeter if PHI ever makes it into files or comments. ([help.figma.com](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/16354660649495-Security-disclosure-principles?utm_source=openai))
• Misplaced reliance on certifications: SOC 2 Type II and similar attestations validate security controls but do not authorize PHI processing without a BAA aligned to HIPAA obligations. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/security/))

Secure Alternatives to Figma for HIPAA Compliance

Option 1: Self‑host a design platform

Run a self-hosted, open-source design tool (for example, Penpot) inside your own HIPAA-eligible cloud or data center. Pair it with your cloud provider’s signed BAA, enforce encryption at rest and in transit (prefer FIPS 140‑2 validated crypto modules where feasible), enable detailed audit logs, restrict egress, and consider DNSSEC Security on public endpoints to reduce spoofing risk. This approach gives you full control over PHI handling while keeping design collaboration in-house. ([penpot.app](https://penpot.app/blog/how-to-self-host-penpot/?utm_source=openai))

Option 2: Use desktop/offline tools plus HIPAA‑ready storage

Keep PHI off the web entirely by using offline design tools (e.g., native macOS/Windows apps) and share exports only through enterprise storage covered by your BAA—such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace—configured with least‑privilege access, retention, DLP, and auditing. Both platforms offer BAAs for in-scope services when properly licensed and configured. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/compliance/regulatory/offering-hipaa-hitech?utm_source=openai))

Option 3: De‑identified‑by‑design workflows

When you must use cloud design tools, keep them strictly out of HIPAA scope: strip all patient identifiers, use synthetic data, and document that PHI never touches the design stack. This preserves design velocity while your PHI remains in systems governed by your HIPAA Compliance Framework (EHR, secure repositories, or services under executed BAAs). ([hhs.gov](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/business-associates/index.html?utm_source=openai))

Conclusion

Figma provides robust security features and even a FedRAMP‑authorized environment for government work, but its policies prohibit PHI and it does not participate as a HIPAA Business Associate. If your designs, comments, or attachments could include PHI, choose a deployment model that supports a signed BAA—self‑hosted platforms, offline tools paired with HIPAA‑eligible storage, and sound de‑identification practices are the most reliable paths.

FAQs

Why does Figma not sign a BAA?

Figma’s Acceptable Use Policy bans uploading PHI, signaling that the service is not intended to create, receive, maintain, or transmit PHI. Since HIPAA requires a BAA for any vendor handling PHI on your behalf, a platform that forbids PHI use will, by design, not operate as a HIPAA Business Associate. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/legal/aup/))

What risks are involved using Figma with PHI?

You face contractual noncompliance (no BAA), a direct violation of Figma’s policies, potential third‑party data egress via plugins or exports, and regulatory exposure if PHI is disclosed or breached—none of which are mitigated by general security certifications alone. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/legal/aup/))

What security certifications does Figma have?

Figma reports an SOC 2 Type II audit and SOC 3, plus ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27018 certifications, along with participation in CSA CAIQ, C5, TISAX, and related frameworks. These demonstrate strong security hygiene but don’t authorize PHI processing without a HIPAA‑compliant BAA. ([figma.com](https://www.figma.com/security/))

Are there HIPAA-compliant alternatives to Figma?

Yes. Consider a self‑hosted design platform in a HIPAA‑eligible cloud under your own BAA, or use desktop design tools with sharing limited to enterprise storage covered by a Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace BAA. In all cases, keep PHI in systems governed by your HIPAA Compliance Framework and ensure controls like encryption, auditing, and DNSSEC Security on public endpoints are in place. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/compliance/regulatory/offering-hipaa-hitech?utm_source=openai))