It is vital for members to take an active role in protecting their health data. Members should look for an easy-to-read privacy policy that clearly tells you how the app will use your data. If an app does not have a privacy policy, members should not use the app.
Members should think about:
- Has the app been passed by any regulatory agency?
- What health data will this app collect?
- Will this app collect non-health data from my phone, such as my location?
- How will this app use my data?
- Will this app show my data to third parties?
- Will this app sell my data for any reason, such as advertising or research?
- Will this app share my data for any reason? If so, with whom? For what reason?
- How can I limit this app’s use and release of my data?
- What safety steps does this app use to protect my data?
- What impact could sharing my data with this app have on others, such as my family members?
- How does this app let users know of changes that could change its privacy practices?
- How can I use my data and fix mistakes in data saved by this app?
- Does this app have a way of taking in and answering a user complaint?
- If I don’t want to use this app anymore, or if I don’t want this app to use my health data, how do I stop the app from getting my data?
- What is the app’s policy for removing my data once I stop using it? Do I have to do more than just delete the app from my phone?
If the app’s privacy policy does not answer these questions, members should either not use the app or look at other apps. Health data is very private and members should be careful to pick apps that have strong privacy and safety standards to protect their data.