Can Apple Be Trusted With Your Health Information?

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission wants Apple to promise not to collect or use health data without user consent, according to a report.

Two unnamed sources said that the FTC met with Apple representatives "on multiple occasions" in the last few months to pressure Apple into not selling user health data, Reuters reported. Most companies, including Apple and Facebook, frequently sell data to third parties.

Apple stated that it will have "built-in data protections" for its HealthKit platform which keeps biometrics from mobile apps. "We designed HealthKit with privacy in mind," said Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller.
 
So far, it doesn't seem as if there will be a privacy probe from the FTC, but if the report is true, there appears to be some concern about the matter. The FTC declined to comment on the story.
 
The FTC appears to be more concerned with health data leaked outside of medical files and has also asked Congress to create laws to make data broker dealings more transparent. While data on mobile apps isn't covered by HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the FTC seems to think it's still sensitive enough to be given more privacy than one's private email or tracking one's TV watching.
 
 
 
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