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Frank Bajak
@fbajak
In a first-of-its-kind enforcement, the FTC has imposed a $1.5 million fine on telehealth and prescription drug discounter GoodRx for sharing users’ health data with Facebook, Google and others despite claiming otherwise.
apnews.com
FTC fines GoodRx for unauthorized sharing of health data
In a first-of-its-kind enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission has imposed a $1.5 million penalty on telehealth and prescription drug discount provider GoodRx Holdings Inc. for sharing users'...
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Frank Bajak
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But more important than the fine,
@FTC
is also prohibiting GoodRx from sharing user health data with third parties for advertising purposes. That could augur an end to widespread trafficking in consumer health data that happens outside HIPAA-governed entities.
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Ben Rossen
@benrossen
The @FTC's order against @GoodRx includes a flat-out ban against selling user health data to 3rd parties in the future. This is the kind of conduct-changing remedy that has been hard to obtain in past cases (and why unfairness can be such a powerful tool). twitter.com/benrossen/stat…
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Frank Bajak
@fbajak
In a legal complaint, lawyers for FTC said GoodRx’s unauthorized actions “unjustly enriched” the company while potentially exposing users — many sufferers of chronic health conditions — to “stigma, embarrassment or emotional distress” as well as multiple types of discrimination.
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Frank Bajak
@fbajak
GoodRx admitted no wrongdoing and said in a blog post that it settled “to avoid the time and expense of protracted litigation.”It said it used technologies it believes were in regulatory compliance and that remains “common practice among many websites.”