In this photo illustration, the Hims and Hers Health company logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Piotr Swat/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Digital telehealth platform Hims & Hers is facing a civil lawsuit over accusations of sending users’ health information to online advertisers after promising privacy.
According to court documents filed this week, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission says Hims & Hers also engaged in deceptive billing and cancellation practices. The suit also alleges that the company shared sensitive health information with social media companies advertising for Meta platforms and Snap.
What they're saying:
"The FTC will not hesitate to act on behalf of consumers deprived of their ability to choose which products they want and whether to keep their most sensitive health information private," Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.
The other side:
Hims & Hers called the claims baseless in a post on social media site X. "This is not enforcement grounded in consumer protection; it is an effort to generate headlines at our expense," the company said in the post.
The backstory:
Founded in San Francisco in 2017, Hims & Hers is a digital telehealth platform that connects patients with licensed medical providers for remote consultations. The company offers evaluations and treatment options for a range of health concerns, including sexual health, hair loss, skin care, mental health and weight management for both men and women.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by Reuters and the U.S. District Court Northern District of California. This story was reported from Orlando.