FTC seeks assurances from Apple on health data privacy
According to a report on Thursday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is asking Apple about its handling of sensitive health data gathered and stored by the company's new iOS 8 HealthKit framework, especially as it applies to possible dissemination to third parties like advertisers.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reports the FTC is looking to ensure health data processed by HealthKit and the forthcoming Apple Watch will remain under user control, a major concern given the nature of the data being collected.
Apple has been working with various governmental oversight bodies around the world, including the FTC, to explain these very protections, spokesman Trudy Muller said. She further added that Apple "designed HealthKit with privacy in mind."
While there is no indication that the FTC will launch a formal investigation into the matter, Apple is said to be preparing for the possibility. Sources claim the company has enlisted the aid of health data protection lawyer Marcy Wilder and is mulling the idea of appointing a designated "health privacy czar" to deal with future concerns.
In August, Apple outlined restrictions imposed on developers tapping into the HealthKit API. Under the license, developers may "not sell an end-user's health information collected through the HealthKit API to advertising platforms, data brokers or information resellers," and are restricted from using gathered data "for any purpose other than providing health and/or fitness services."
Apple also discussed "mobile medical applications" with the Food and Drug Administration in a series of private meetings dating back to 2013. The FDA said Apple plans to work closely with the agency on future product development to avoid surprise regulatory slowdowns.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reports the FTC is looking to ensure health data processed by HealthKit and the forthcoming Apple Watch will remain under user control, a major concern given the nature of the data being collected.
Apple has been working with various governmental oversight bodies around the world, including the FTC, to explain these very protections, spokesman Trudy Muller said. She further added that Apple "designed HealthKit with privacy in mind."
While there is no indication that the FTC will launch a formal investigation into the matter, Apple is said to be preparing for the possibility. Sources claim the company has enlisted the aid of health data protection lawyer Marcy Wilder and is mulling the idea of appointing a designated "health privacy czar" to deal with future concerns.
In August, Apple outlined restrictions imposed on developers tapping into the HealthKit API. Under the license, developers may "not sell an end-user's health information collected through the HealthKit API to advertising platforms, data brokers or information resellers," and are restricted from using gathered data "for any purpose other than providing health and/or fitness services."
Apple also discussed "mobile medical applications" with the Food and Drug Administration in a series of private meetings dating back to 2013. The FDA said Apple plans to work closely with the agency on future product development to avoid surprise regulatory slowdowns.
Comments
“Screw you. We’re better at security than you’ll ever be.” – Apple
No, because their users aren't guaranteed privacy.
So are they questioning Google and Microsoft as well specially considering they are cloud based?
No. Only Apple is not to be trusted. Microsoft, Google, Samsung are all as pure as the newly driven snow when it comes to security. Google’s motto “Do no evil” is good enough for the FTC. It’s Apple that needs to be watched and scrutinized constantly.
Yes they are, at least Google Android. No specific mention of MS. The AI article just neglected to mention it.
Quote:
The agency has made it a priority to examine whether mobile health developers marketing apps on Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms are taking precautions to safeguard user privacy, the sources said.
Google’s motto “Do no evil” is good enough for the FTC. It’s Apple that needs to be watched and scrutinized constantly.
I heard Larry finally admitted they needed a new motto.
Yep, it's now "Do no evil ... oops!"
MS ....? Maybe they only worry about those with >2% mobile market share.
I think this 'cloud based' marketing terminology is getting over used by the media and masses. They are just servers! When did any on line database not use servers?
…or FitBit, MS, Samsung, and everyone else that does any sort of health-based monitoring.
"Do Know Evil"
Not a new motto... The same motto with proper spelling.
The FTC is concerned about our privacy while the NSA and US Marshals 'dirtbox' us legally.
That was my thoughts as well. The same government not afraid of spying on it's citizens is worried about those same citizens willingly putting their trust in a private company that has a pretty good record of keeping information private?
You may be right.
I think the FTC keep a wary eye on companies other than Apple, too, though.
Keep your vacuous logorrhea to yourself. Better yet, go away.
"Do Know Evil"
Not a new motto... The same motto with proper spelling.
Or maybe...No, do evil!Back to the article...Wasn't the DoJ just bitching about Apple's security changes making the devices too secure? Which is it?
@Benjamin Frost: What a worthless, waffling worm-like comment. So you want to agree with both points of view, which contradict each other? With nothing more than a "you may be right" and an "I think though"?
Keep your vacuous logorrhea to yourself. Better yet, go away.
He acknowledged that one possibility may be correct without expressing agreement or disagreement. Then he stated another possibility that he seems to favor. That's how grown-ups have a discussion.You add nothing to the discussion by making a personal attack.
http://patientprivacyrights.org/basic-health-privacy-faqs/
He's on my shitlist for real this time, after the following post in another thread:
http://forums.appleinsider.com/t/183399/apple-watch-chip-suppliers-rumored-to-start-production-soon-orders-at-30m-to-40m-units/80#post_2639076
Sorry you have to care about defending this worthless babble. Almost 5000 posts in a single year, nearly all of them a waste of our time, or worse.