From Seattletimes · · 1m 50s
Telehealth Companies Leak Medical Data
Telehealth firms share health data without permission, risking user privacy.
In brief
Telehealth firms share health data without permission, risking user privacy. Telehealth companies like Hims & Hers share customers' medical data with platforms like Meta and Google, violating consumer protection laws. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Telehealth's Promise
Telehealth lets users get approved for medications within minutes without calling doctors, booking appointments, or waiting for prescriptions.
Regulators Accuse Telehealth Firms
Federal regulators accuse telehealth companies of sharing health data, signing users up for hard-to-cancel subscriptions, and bypassing real-time doctor consultations.
FTC Targets Hims & Hers
The FTC alleges Hims & Hers engaged in deceptive practices, including sharing customer health data with Meta and Google without permission.
Hims Denies Claims
Hims calls the government’s claims an effort to generate headlines at their expense, disputing the allegations.
FTC's Past Actions
FTC has filed similar cases against over half a dozen telehealth companies, including BetterHelp and GoodRx, for sharing health data with platforms like Meta and Google.
Health Data Not Covered by HIPAA
Federal health privacy laws like HIPAA generally don’t apply to telehealth companies, leaving sensitive data vulnerable to sharing with advertisers and social media.
GLP-1 Drug Prescriptions
Less than a third of telehealth companies selling GLP-1 drugs require real-time video or audio consultations with physicians, often approving prescriptions within minutes.
Eating Disorders Risk
Only slightly more than half of telehealth websites ask about eating disorders on intake questionnaires, which GLP-1 drugs can induce or worsen.
Data Sharing Practices
Telehealth companies share health data with advertisers, social media platforms, and search engines, despite claiming their services are private and secure.
Privacy Experts Recommend
Experts suggest using ad blockers, private browsers, and reading user agreements to protect health data, but companies may still sell sensitive information like users’ sex lives.
The essence
Telehealth companies like Hims & Hers share customers' medical data with platforms like Meta and Google, violating consumer protection laws.
