How safe is your sensitive data in mental health apps?

Australian Academics have raised concerns about some popular mental health apps' data collection and use policies. A CHOICE survey of over 1,000 people conducted in June 2022 found that 30% of Australians had one or more mental health apps downloaded on their phones.

Some are designed to help users improve their emotional well-being, become more mindful, and address common mental health issues providing access to online therapy, meditation practice, tools to cope with stress and anxiety, or improve sleep quality. But at the same time, these apps collect data related to the most sensitive area.

According to the CHOICE survey, only 20% of people who downloaded a mental health app said they usually looked at the privacy policy before downloading it.

Regardless of what app you choose, we recommend that you read the company's privacy guidelines before signing up to understand better what data collects and whether it shares any private information with third parties.

Here are few reasons to do it:

1. Share your data with marketing, with employers (of the user, if it is paid for through work), sponsors, and for research purposes.

2.      Sell health data they collect to companies that can`t get at this normally, advertising firms, Pharma, health insurance companies which use it to run ads or to profile consumers to make determinations potentially about health plan pricing.

3.      The app may suffer from a breach, and your sensitive information may be exposed on the internet or used to blackmail you.

It's never too late to gain control over your data

If you have been using a mental health app for some time now, read their privacy and data security policy today. You can find it in the app or their website and reconsider your agreement through the risks vs. benefits lens.

You can also check instantly whether the app you use (or any other app) has leaked your data in a breach. You only need to let Digital Identity Protection scan the web (Dark Web included) and show your digital footprint. Digital Identity Protection can also help you remember old accounts/ apps you sign up for but not using anymore. Closing those accounts that they are still having your data is important for your online safety.

If you are involved in a breach, you will get actionable advice about what to do next. As a plus, with a Digital Identity Protection active subscription, you receive real-time alerts when your private information is at risk.