Ratings / App
Critical Rating 1 / 5 · Critical — Active surveillance / serious risk.
BetterHelp has a history of sharing sensitive user data for advertising purposes. In March 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled with BetterHelp for $7.8 million over allegations that it shared consumers' health data, including email addresses, IP addresses, and health
BetterHelp has a history of sharing sensitive user data for advertising purposes. In March 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled with BetterHelp for $7.8 million over allegations that it shared consumers' health data, including email addresses, IP addresses, and health questionnaire responses, with platforms like Facebook and Snapchat between 2017 and 2020, despite promising privacy. While BetterHelp's current policy states, "To be clear, we don't share any data or information you share with your Therapist with any Third Party advertisers," and uses "industry-standard encryption technologies" (SSL) for data in transit, the past actions demonstrate a significant breach of trust. The policy also notes that if users opt-in to "Advertising cookies and web beacons," some "Visitor Data" (excluding therapy data) may be shared for advertising, which in California may be considered a "sale" of personal information. Furthermore, data like "Clinical Health Record" and communications are retained for 10 years after the last login if therapy was started and erasure was not requested.
The full methodological and legal context for this rating. This card is what we point to when asked to substantiate the claim.