The US private sector steps in to protect online health privacy, but critics say it can’t be trusted

Many companies in the health tech sector – which provides services that range from mental health counseling to shipping attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder pills through the mail – have shockingly leaky privacy practices. — Dreamstime/TNS

Most people have at least a vague sense that someone somewhere is doing mischief with the data footprints created by their online activities: Maybe their use of an app is allowing that company to build a profile of their habits, or maybe they keep getting followed by creepy ads.

It’s more than a feeling. Many companies in the health tech sector – which provides services that range from mental health counselling to shipping attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder pills through the mail – have shockingly leaky privacy practices.