GoodRx shared personal health data with Facebook and Google

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In today's edition: GoodRx settles with FTC for illegal disclosure of private health information.

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Main Thing

GoodRx might not be so Good

Meta probably knows about our private health conditions too, thanks to GoodRx

What: Millions of Americans use GoodRx to search for cheaper prescriptions, but the company wrongfully shared users' private health information with third-parties including Google and Facebook between 2017 and 2020 according to FTC.

GoodRx -

1. Shared personal health information - including its users' prescription medications and health conditions with Facebook and Google.

2. Targeted ads - GoodRx used private and sensitive health information from users prescriptions to target them with ads on facebook and instagram.

3. No restrictions on shared data - If this wasn't bad enough already, GoodRx allowed Facebook and Google to use the health information without any restrictions.

Zoom Out: GoodRx promised users to never share their information. But ended up doing the exact opposite, without their consent or knowledge. The sensitive health information of users along their full name, email and physical address was sent over to Facebook and Google for advertising.

What's next - GoodRx denied F.T.C’s claims but choose to settle. F.T.C’s focus on health privacy is a step in the right direction but sends the wrong message. GoodRx was fined mere $1.5M - probably a drop in bucket compared to profits it generated from targeted ads and faced almost no consequences of violating user privacy.

So here’s the reminder - Nothing is free, you’re likely paying with your private data.

Meme Thursday

Quick Links

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