• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Sensing Technology Drives the Future of Medical Care

    New and Developing Diabetes Technologies Offer 'Sweet Relief'

    Discussing Matters of Substance in Medtech Materials

    Medical Device Testers Are Caught Up in a Whirlwind

    6 Ways ERP Systems Help Medical Device Manufacturers Manage Risk and Profitability
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Regulatory
    Financial/Business
    Top News
    MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 18

    Schurter Launches 5121 Filtered Appliance Inlet

    Suzanne Foster Joins Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Board

    Ra Medical Systems Realigns Its Board of Directors

    Study Backs Tandem Diabetes' Control-IQ 'Artificial Pancreas' in Young Kids
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    Sensing Technology Drives the Future of Medical Care

    New and Developing Diabetes Technologies Offer 'Sweet Relief'

    Discussing Matters of Substance in Medtech Materials

    Medical Device Testers Are Caught Up in a Whirlwind

    6 Ways ERP Systems Help Medical Device Manufacturers Manage Risk and Profitability
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    CR-SOP Neurotechnology Helps to Achieve ‘Sound’ Sleep

    Inside the Hospital Value Analysis Committee

    Face Time: Why Getting Engineers Out of the Lab Is Good for Business

    Common Paratubing Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

    During Times of Uncertainty, Create Business Value with an Optimized Workforce
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    JBC Technologies

    Cirtec Medical

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    3D Printing Medical Devices Revolutionized Manufacturing

    5 Current Trends in Medical Device Security

    How Advanced Sensors Improve Design & Functionality of Respiratory Care Equipment

    Sourcing Silicone Parts: Injection Mold or 3D Print?

    Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Getting on the Right Track
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    JBC Technologies

    Cirtec Medical

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Breaking News

    Study: Data Sharing by Popular Health Apps Is 'Routine'

    Clinicians and consumers warned of privacy risks.

    Study: Data Sharing by Popular Health Apps Is
    The research team identified 24 top rated medicines related apps for the Android mobile platform in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. All apps were available to the public; provided information about medicines dispensing, administration, prescribing, or use; and were interactive.
    University of Sydney03.21.19
    Mobile health apps are a booming market targeted at both patients and health professionals. Medicines-related apps help patients track their prescriptions and remember to take their pills. They also provide drug information to help clinicians prescribe and administer medications.
     
    However, these apps also pose unprecedented risk to consumers' privacy given their ability to collect user data, including sensitive information that is highly valuable to commercial interests, new research demonstrates.
     
    Published in BMJ today, the research team—from the University of Sydney, the University of Toronto and University of California—set out to investigate if and how user data is shared by top rated medicines-related mobile apps. It also sought to characterize privacy risks to app users, both clinicians and consumers.
     
    The researchers found sharing of user data by medicines-related apps is routine but far from transparent, and also identified a small number of commercial entities with the ability to aggregate and potentially re-identify user data.
     
    "Privacy regulators should consider that loss of privacy is not a fair cost for the use of digital health services," said lead author Assistant Professor Quinn Grundy of the University of Toronto and University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Charles Perkins Centre.
     
    How Data Is Shared
    The research team identified 24 top rated medicines related apps for the Android mobile platform in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. All apps were available to the public; provided information about medicines dispensing, administration, prescribing, or use; and were interactive.
     
    They then ran laboratory-based traffic analysis of each app downloaded onto a smartphone, simulating real world use with four dummy scripts.
     
    Privacy leaks were detected using a technique called Differential Traffic Analysis, explained co-author Dr. Ralph Holz from the University of Sydney's School of Computer Science.
    "The idea is to capture a baseline of the normal network data that an app causes, and then change privacy-related settings in the app. The places where the new settings turn up in any fresh network data shows us where and to whom the app is leaking it."
     
    Of the sampled apps, most—19 out of 24 or 79 percent—shared user data outside of the app. A total of 55 unique entities, owned by 46 parent companies, received or processed this data, including developers, parent companies (first parties) and service providers (third parties).
     
    Third parties also advertised the ability to share user data with 216 'fourth parties' including multinational technology companies, digital advertising companies, telecommunications corporations, and a consumer credit reporting agency. Only three of these fourth parties could be characterized predominantly as belonging to the health sector.
     
    Several companies, including Alphabet, Facebook, and Oracle, occupied central positions within the network with the ability to aggregate and re-identify user data.
     
    Call for Greater Regulation and Transparency
    While it's unclear if iOS apps share user data—and if medicines-related apps share user data more or less than other health apps, or apps in general—the findings remain of concern said Assistant Professor Grundy.
     
    "Most health apps fail to provide privacy assurances or transparency around data sharing practices," she said.
     
    "User data collected from apps providing medicines information or support may also be particularly attractive to cybercriminals or commercial data brokers.
     
    "Health professionals need to be aware of privacy risks in their own use of apps and, when recommending apps, explain the potential for loss of privacy as part of informed consent.
     
    "Regulators should also emphasize the accountabilities of those who control and process user data, while health app developers should disclose all data sharing practices and allow users to choose precisely what data are shared and where."


    Infographic courtesy of University of Sydney, University of Toronto.
    Related Searches
    • digital health
    • apps
    • first
    • mobile health
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Software & IT
    • Digital Health
    Suggested For You
    Why Patient Data Security is of Essential Importance in 2021 Why Patient Data Security is of Essential Importance in 2021
    Adopting a Data-Driven Approach to Quality with an MDQMS Adopting a Data-Driven Approach to Quality with an MDQMS
    Smart E-Skin, Robotic Hand Could Gather Vital Diagnostic Data Smart E-Skin, Robotic Hand Could Gather Vital Diagnostic Data
    Gentle Probes Could Enable Massive Brain Data Collection Gentle Probes Could Enable Massive Brain Data Collection
    FDA Publishes COVID-19 Molecular Dx Test Comparative Performance Data FDA Publishes COVID-19 Molecular Dx Test Comparative Performance Data
    Data Reconfirms Long-Term Safety of Philips Stellarex Low-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon Data Reconfirms Long-Term Safety of Philips Stellarex Low-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon
    Real-World Data for Medtech Approval Reduces Time to Market in China Real-World Data for Medtech Approval Reduces Time to Market in China
    Study Data for LimFlow System Shows Excellent Amputation-Free Survival Study Data for LimFlow System Shows Excellent Amputation-Free Survival
    FDA Approves Data Streaming from Abiomed FDA Approves Data Streaming from Abiomed's Impella Console
     20 Percent Reduction in Radiation Exposure With Robotic-Assisted Intervention for PCI 20 Percent Reduction in Radiation Exposure With Robotic-Assisted Intervention for PCI
    FDA Publicly Shares Antibody Test Performance Data FDA Publicly Shares Antibody Test Performance Data
    HRS 2020 Science: Mobile VPG Technology Used to Monitor Pulse Rates HRS 2020 Science: Mobile VPG Technology Used to Monitor Pulse Rates
    HRS 2020 Science: Trial Data Compares Subcutaneous ICD Therapy to TV-ICDs HRS 2020 Science: Trial Data Compares Subcutaneous ICD Therapy to TV-ICDs
    GlobalData: Medtronic’s MI Business to Exhibit Slow Growth GlobalData: Medtronic’s MI Business to Exhibit Slow Growth
    FDA Clears Siemens Healthineers FDA Clears Siemens Healthineers' Aidan AI

    Related Online Exclusives

    • Digital Health
      Why Patient Data Security is of Essential Importance in 2021

      Why Patient Data Security is of Essential Importance in 2021

      How to protect confidential patient information and comply with regulations such as HIPAA.
      Anton Zheliabin, Product manager, ComeBack Mobility 08.25.21

    • Software & IT
      Adopting a Data-Driven Approach to Quality with an MDQMS

      Adopting a Data-Driven Approach to Quality with an MDQMS

      FlexLogical is making quality a competitive advantage through its software solution.
      Jon Speer, Founder and VP of QA/RA, Greenlight Guru 09.24.20

    • Diagnostics | Electronics
      Smart E-Skin, Robotic Hand Could Gather Vital Diagnostic Data

      Smart E-Skin, Robotic Hand Could Gather Vital Diagnostic Data

      Relies on easily manufacturable rubber semiconductor.
      University of Houston 09.17.20


    • Neurological
      Gentle Probes Could Enable Massive Brain Data Collection

      Gentle Probes Could Enable Massive Brain Data Collection

      NIH awards $4.15 million grant to maximize use of devices based on flexible nanoelectronic thread.
      Mike Williams, Rice University 09.16.20

    • Diagnostics
      FDA Publishes COVID-19 Molecular Dx Test Comparative Performance Data

      FDA Publishes COVID-19 Molecular Dx Test Comparative Performance Data

      Shows Limit of Detection of over 55 authorized molecular diagnostic COVID-19 tests against a standardized sample panel.
      U.S. Food and Drug Administration 09.16.20

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Trending
    • A New Approach To Post-Market Surveillance
    • FDA Clears LiveMetric's Wearable Blood Pressure Monitoring Tech
    • Healthcare Changes Prompt Medtronic To Merge Sales Force Medtronic, Inc. Is Combining Its U.S. Ca
    • Philips Names New Supervisory Board Chairman
    • Taiwan Aims To Boost Sales In U.S. Market With New Cost-Saving Medical Devices
    Breaking News
    • Max Novak Joins Trelleborg Healthcare as Project Manager
    • MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 18
    • Schurter Launches 5121 Filtered Appliance Inlet
    • Suzanne Foster Joins Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Board
    • Ra Medical Systems Realigns Its Board of Directors
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    March 2023

    • Sensing Technology Drives the Future of Medical Care
    • New and Developing Diabetes Technologies Offer 'Sweet Relief'
    • Discussing Matters of Substance in Medtech Materials
    • Medical Device Testers Are Caught Up in a Whirlwind
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    'What’s Up With Supps' Event at Expo West Raises Over $8,000 for Vitamin Angels
    IRI and NPD Rebrand as Circana Following Merger
    ABC’s Sustainable Herbs Program Updates Sustainability and Regenerative Practices Toolkit
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Miller Paint Partners with Portland Boutique Woonwinkel for 2023 Spring Color Trends
    ALTANA Reports Sales of €3 Billion for First Time in 2022
    Dunn-Edwards Launches New Dead Flat Ceiling Paint
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 18
    Schurter Launches 5121 Filtered Appliance Inlet
    Suzanne Foster Joins Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Board
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Enzo Biochem Sells Clinical Laboratory to Labcorp
    53Biologics Expands its State-of-the-art Facilities
    Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Receives Zero Observations from FDA Inspection
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Weekly Recap: Dove Speaks Out Against TikTok Filter, Living Proof Enters Metaverse & More
    Soapbox Launches New Moisturizing Hand Soaps at Walmart Stores
    Revlon Plans to Emerge from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in April 2023
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Fredericksburg Farms Recalls Scented Candles with Glass Lids
    Byoma Enters Suncare with New Moisturizing Gel-Cream SPF 30
    Red Carpet Looks at the Academy Awards and Apollo Buys Univar
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Weekly Recap: Energy Curable Inks, Toyo Ink, Resins Top This Week’s Stories
    ALTANA Achieves Sales of €3 Billion for First Time in 2022
    Ball Corporation Releases Climate Transition Plan
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    UPM Raflatac analyzes supply chain, TLMI hosts Converter Meeting and more
    Education sessions announced for Dscoop Edge St. Louis World Expo
    ALTANA reports record sales in 2022
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Weekly Recap: TerraCycle Launches Diaper Program, Ahlstrom to Divest or Shutter Stenay Plant & More
    Mativ Names CFO
    Indorama Ventures, Polymateria Partner on Biotransformation Technology
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    ODT's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 18
    Accelus' Remi Robotic Navigation OK'ed for GE OEC 9900 C-Arm
    AAOS News: Annunziato (Ned) Amendola Named Second Vice-President
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Weekly Recap: LOPEC 2023 Slideshow, Dracula Technologies Top This Week’s Stories
    ALTANA Achieves Sales of €3B for First Time in 2022
    MClimate Releases Maintenance-Free Wireless Thermostat

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login