Telehealth Companies Face Scrutiny Over Patient Data Leaks

Telehealth firms are under fire for mishandling user data, with regulators and experts urging caution. Learn what you need to know.

Editorial Desk

September 19, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Telehealth companies are facing increasing scrutiny over the handling of customer health data, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launching new legal actions against several major players in the industry.

The FTC has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, a leading telehealth provider, accusing the company of deceptive practices that include sharing users’ private medical information with third-party platforms like Meta and Google without consent. The agency alleges that customers were automatically enrolled in recurring prescriptions without adequate review or opportunity to opt out.

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Experts warn that the lack of federal regulation specifically targeting telehealth services leaves a gap in consumer protection. While laws like HIPAA protect traditional healthcare providers, they do not apply to many online health platforms, allowing companies to disclose sensitive data without clear legal consequences. Regulators say this needs to change as more people rely on digital health services for critical care.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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Editorial Desk

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