Availability, readability, and content of privacy policies and terms of agreements of mental health apps

• Published in: Internet interventions : the application of information technology in mental and behavioural health 2019-09, Vol.17, p.100243, Article 100243
• Main Authors: Robillard, Julie M., Feng, Tanya L., Sporn, Arlo B., Lai, Jen-Ai, Lo, Cody, Ta, Monica, Nadler, Roland
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apps; Mental health; Mobile health; Privacy; Smartphone
• ISSN: 2214-7829; 2214-7829
• DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2019.100243

To assess the availability, readability, and privacy-related content of the privacy policies and terms of agreement of mental health apps available through popular digital stores. Popular smartphone app stores were searched using combinations of keywords “track” and “mood” and their synonyms. The first 100 apps from each search were evaluated for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Apps were assessed for availability of a privacy policy (PP) and terms of agreement (ToA) and if available, these documents were evaluated for both content and readability. Most of the apps collected in the sample did not include a PP or ToA. PPs could be accessed for 18% of iOS apps and 4% of Android apps; whereas ToAs were available for 15% of iOS and 3% of Android apps. Many PPs stated that users' information may be shared with third parties (71% iOS, 46% Android). Results demonstrate that information collection is occurring with the majority of apps that allow users to track the status of their mental health. Most of the apps collected in the initial sample did not include a PP or ToA despite this being a requirement by the store. The majority of PPs and ToAs that were evaluated are written at a post-secondary reading level and disclose that extensive data collection is occurring. Our findings raise concerns about consent, transparency, and data sharing associated with mental health apps and highlight the importance of improved regulation in the mobile app environment. •Privacy policies and terms of agreement of mental health apps were analyzed for availability, content and readability.•Most mental health tracking apps did not include a PP or ToA.•A majority of PPs stated that users’ information may be shared with third parties.•The readability of mental health apps PPs and ToAs is too difficult for the general population.•Findings raise concerns about consent, transparency, and data sharing associated with mental health apps.