The Hidden Risks in Health App Privacy Policies
Health and wellness apps have surged in popularity, but their privacy practices are often murky. An analysis of 10 top apps — from fitness trackers to meditation and period-tracking apps — reveals that most collect far more data than necessary and reserve the right to share it with advertisers or data brokers.
For example, a 2023 report by the Mozilla Foundation found that several period-tracking apps shared sensitive information — like cycle dates and mood logs — with third-party marketing firms. Few apps provide meaningful options to opt out of such data sharing.
The policies themselves are often difficult to understand, written at a high reading level and buried under layers of legalese. This leaves users unaware of how their intimate health data is used.
Experts advise choosing apps that:
- Clearly state they don’t share data with third parties.
- Offer end-to-end encryption.
- Have transparent, plain-language privacy policies.
More importantly, advocates are pushing for stronger legal protections for health data not covered by HIPAA.
