Telehealth company accused of sharing patient data with advertisers without consent
The FTC has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, alleging the company used website trackers to share sensitive medical information with advertisers Meta and Snap, raising new concerns over telehealth data privacy.
The FTC has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, a telehealth company that prescribes for sexual wellness and mental health conditions.
The lawsuit alleges that the company used website trackers to share customers' medical information with advertisers Meta and Snap.
According to the FTC, the trackers captured data such as search queries, prescription details, and usage patterns, which were then transmitted to the advertisers without customer consent.
Hims & Hers markets itself as a convenient way to access prescription medication, offering services for erectile dysfunction, depression, and other conditions.
The FTC’s complaint cites the company’s failure to disclose the sharing of sensitive health data in its privacy policy, which could violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the FTC Act.
The lawsuit seeks damages, injunctive relief, and a court order to halt the data sharing practice.
The case highlights the growing concern over how telehealth platforms handle patient data and the potential risks of using third‑party advertising networks.
Analysts point out that the use of website trackers is common in the digital advertising ecosystem but becomes problematic when applied to protected health information.
The FTC’s action follows a broader push to enforce stricter privacy standards for companies that manage medical data.
The outcome of the lawsuit will likely influence how other telehealth providers structure their privacy disclosures and data‑sharing practices.
The FTC has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, a telehealth company that prescribes for sexual wellness and mental health conditions.
The lawsuit alleges that the company used website trackers to share customers' medical information with advertisers Meta and Snap.
According to the FTC, the trackers captured data such as search queries, prescription details, and usage patterns, which were then transmitted to the advertisers without customer consent.
Hims & Hers markets itself as a convenient way to access prescription medication, offering services for erectile dysfunction, depression, and other conditions.
The FTC’s complaint cites the company’s failure to disclose the sharing of sensitive health data in its privacy policy, which could violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the FTC Act.
The lawsuit seeks damages, injunctive relief, and a court order to halt the data sharing practice.
The case highlights the growing concern over how telehealth platforms handle patient data and the potential risks of using third‑party advertising networks.
Analysts point out that the use of website trackers is common in the digital advertising ecosystem but becomes problematic when applied to protected health information.
The FTC’s action follows a broader push to enforce stricter privacy standards for companies that manage medical data.
The outcome of the lawsuit will likely influence how other telehealth providers structure their privacy disclosures and data‑sharing practices.