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Be careful sharing your personal information on health apps, experts warn

With all the stress, sadness and anxiety we've dealt with over the last year, it's no wonder use of mental health apps is surging.

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By
Monica Laliberte
, WRAL executive producer/5 On Your Side reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — With all the stress, sadness and anxiety we’ve dealt with over the last year, it’s no wonder use of mental health apps is surging.

Whether it’s a guided meditation or an appointment with a licensed therapist, mental health apps are in demand, but experts say people should be careful about sharing personal or sensitive information over these apps.

Some platforms might not be private as you may think. They’re not always covered by the same medical privacy laws, such as HIPAA, that protect information you share with a doctor in person.

And even when HIPAA rules do apply, they may not cover all the data an app collects.

“What companies tell you about what they do with your data is often pretty vague and confusing and it’s usually buried in privacy policies, where it can be hard to find,” Thomas Germain, Consumer Reports Tech Editor.

Consumer Reports looked at several popular apps and found many sent information to third parties, such as Facebook and Google.

The data in question is often used for advertising or other business research.

It’s a common practice, but not something many would expect from apps that deal with mental health.

“We didn’t see these apps sharing details about your condition or what you’re telling your therapist. But they may be letting other companies know you’re using a mental health app,” Germain said.

CR believes we should know if and where our data is shared.

“Be sure it’s clear about who will be administering your care. It’s worth seeking out licensed mental health professionals, and there are plenty of services that will connect you with them,” said Germain.

Getting the right care is critical.

North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services has a wide rang of mental health resources available.

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