[ad_1]
A popular period and fertility tracker app has settled with the Federal Trade Commission over claims it lied to users about sharing private health information with third-party companies, including Facebook and Google. Flo, a period and ovulation tracker app, has over 100 million users.
In the complaint, the FTC alleges that Flo told users their information would be kept private. Then, he shared their sensitive health data, including their period dates and pregnancy plans, with outside companies who provided marketing and analytics for the app. He also did not limit how that data would be used.
The move could have allowed Facebook to match sensitive health information with user profiles and target ads more effectively. Since some users are more willing to share private information with an app like Flo than with a large social network, disclosures can seem intrusive.
“Apps that collect, use and share sensitive health information can provide valuable services, but consumers need to be able to trust these apps,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We are taking a close look at whether health app developers deliver on their promises and handle sensitive health information responsibly.”
The settlement news follows a 2019 report by the the Wall Street newspaper, who revealed that Flo secretly shared sensitive user data with Facebook.
A 2019 study published in JAMA network open also showed that apps marketed to people with depression or who wanted to quit smoking also shared health data with Facebook and Google.
As part of the settlement, Flo must notify users how their personal information has been shared and seek their permission before sharing more information in the future. The company should also be subject to an independent audit of its privacy practices. He did not admit any wrongdoing.
In a statement sent by email to The edge, a spokesperson for Flo said, “We are happy to have reached an agreement with the FTC and resolved the issue. We will conduct a review of our policies and procedures for compliance as requested under the consent agreement and provide the FTC with regular updates. We are committed to ensuring that the confidentiality of our users’ personal health data is absolutely paramount. “
Update January 13, 4:35 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with a statement from Flo.
[ad_2]
Source link