The FTC Suing Hims & Hers Over Patient Data Sharing
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing Hims & Hers, accusing the telehealth company of sharing customers' sensitive health information with advertisers, including Meta and Snap. This includes allegedly charging people without consent and making subscription cancellations incredibly difficult.
The Complaint
According to the complaint, filed on July 29th by the FTC joined by Utah and California:
- Hims & Hers passed customer health details to third-party advertisers through uploaded lists and automatic tracking that sent user actions to these platforms.
- Customers were charged immediately upon submitting an intake form, with no clear indication they could speak to a provider first.
- Subscriptions were automatically renewed without proper notice or opt-out options.
- Canceling subscriptions required multiple steps, considered by the FTC as a "dark pattern."
The Legal Basis and Impact
The lawsuit relies on the FTC Act, Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, and consumer protection laws in Utah and California. Hims & Hers stock fell approximately 10% upon news of the suit, reflecting investor concerns about potential repercussions for a company that has relied heavily on online sign-ups.
A Broader Trend
This case is part of a larger trend targeting health and wellness services that have quietly shared sensitive user data with advertising platforms. Hims & Hers' scale and the sensitive nature of its product categories make it a significant target.