Communications of the ACM
FTC Accuses GoodRx of Sharing User Data Without Consent
GoodRX users may have given up more than they thought
Credit: Getty Images
GoodRx will pay $1.5 million and be barred from sharing user data with outside companies for advertising purposes under a deal that would settle allegations that it shared some of its users' most intimate health-related information with companies like Facebook and Google.
The Federal Trade Commission characterized the action, which is pending approval by a federal court, as the first of its kind under its Health Breach Notification Rule, adding that the agency won't hesitate to use its full legal authority to take action against companies that willingly misuse or exploit consumer data.
"Digital health companies and mobile apps should not cash in on consumers' extremely sensitive and personally identifiable health information," Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.
According to the FTC's complaint, GoodRx, which helps users find deals on prescription drugs and offers telehealth and other health-related services, shared its users' data with outside companies for advertising purposes, despite promising it wouldn't.
From CNet
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