the same medical privacy rules, such as HIPAA, that safeguard information shared with a doctor personally. Even if HIPAA standards apply, they may not include all of the data gathered by an app.
Consumer Reports Tech Editor, Thomas Germain, spoke about the patient data and its privacy. He said, “What companies tell you about what they do with your data is often pretty vague and confusing and it’s usually buried in privacy policies, where it can be hard to find”. Consumer Reports investigated a number of trending apps and discovered that many of them transferred data to other parties like Facebook and Google. This type of information is frequently used for advertising and other forms of marketing and research. Though it is a widespread practice, it is not something that you could expect to see in mental health apps.
According to Consumer Reports, you should be aware of your data being shared and where it is shared. Germain noted the possibilities of data being shared with companies. He said, “We didn’t see these apps sharing details about your condition or what you’re telling your therapist. But they may be letting other companies know you’re using a mental health app”.
Germain advised on how to select the mental health app. He said, “If you’re using a mental health app, be sure it’s clear about who will be administering your care. It’s worth seeking out licensed mental health professionals, and there are plenty of services that will connect you with them”.
