ED, Weight Loss Medication Company Sued – Shared Sensitive Data It Shouldn’t

(KMDL-FM) Patients under a doctor's care who have been prescribed medicines for erectile dysfunction and/or weight loss should know that it is possible sensitive data and details about their medical history could have been compromised.

Where Were Patient Details Alleged to Have Been Shared?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the details were initially shared with third-party platforms without patient consent. Among those platforms are Meta, the people behind Facebook and Instagram, and Snap, the parent company of Snapchat.

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The lawsuit that was filed in a California court on Wednesday alleges that Hims & Hers shared data with those platforms despite promising to protect consumers' privacy.

The advertising produced by Hims & Hers promised users that their medical details would not be made public. In fact, they proclaimed that using their services was among the most discreet ways to be treated for socially sensitive maladies such as erectile dysfunction or medical assistance with weight loss.

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The way Hims & Hers operates is that they connect prospective patients to health care providers who offer a consultation on a virtual platform. The method is touted in the company's advertising as being less embarrassing and a more comfortable way for patients to discuss what can be a socially awkward situation.

Hims & Hers Responds to Federal Trade Commission Lawsuit

The company offered its response to the FTC allegations in a post on social media.

Hims & Hers maintains that the company's Privacy Policy clarified any concerns consumers might have about how their personal data is used.

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It is unclear at this time what consumers who feel their data and personal information may have been breached should do. Speculation suggests that you await the outcome of this legal action, whether it be a court ruling or a settlement; there should be more information available for consumers in the coming weeks.