The online counseling provider, BetterHelp, reached a settlement with the FTC to pay $7.8 million for the misuse of consumer health data for advertising purposes. Despite claiming in its privacy policy that information would only be used for limited purposes (like providing counseling services), BetterHelp shared consumer email addresses, IP addresses, and the answers to personal health questions with Facebook, Snapchat, and others for advertising purposes. This fine highlights the need for companies to make sure that their privacy policies match their actual behaviors—because when there are discrepancies, fines are likely.
Marketing Company InMarket Banned from Selling or Sharing Location Data
Marketing company, InMarket, reached a settlement with the FTC this month which would prevent the company from sharing precise geolocation data moving forward. The marketing company had collected and shared geolocation information from its apps and from other apps what had incorporated its software development kit. Without the consent of consumers, InMarket was collecting geolocation data which could be used to show where consumers lived, worked, and worshipped. It is important for businesses to understand what information they are providing to marketing firms and other partners to make sure that the disclosures they are making and consents they are receiving are appropriate.
The Monthly Rundown of All Things Cyber, Privacy, and Technology
Click here to read the Right to Know – May 2024, Volume 16
