Headache Apps may Put Users’ Privacy at Risk

Privacy issues in smartphone headache apps have been identified by recent research. Such apps often share information with third parties, posing privacy risks as there are few legal protections against the sale or disclosure of data from medical apps to third parties.

Headache apps that help people track their pain may share information with third parties, posing privacy risks to users, study finds.

Of 14 diary apps analyzed, all collected medical information from the user with 57 percent (8/14) offering the capability to store patient diary data on the app providers' servers, 14 percent (2/14) not providing clear statements as to whether patient data would be stored locally or remotely, and others storing data locally on the user's device and/or in Dropbox's "cloud."

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‘Headache apps may disclose important information about users to third parties putting users’ privacy at risk.’

"In 2018, it is estimated that nearly half of 3.4 billion smartphone users will use health-related apps, and currently, there are a wide range of apps on the market for various neurologic and pain conditions," said lead author Dr. Mia Minen, of NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York. "We think our study may have widespread implications for people suffering from various chronic conditions."

Source-Eurekalert

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