Virtual Care Companies Expose Patient Data

Virtual Care Apps May Use Patient Data to Promote Drugs and Services

The use of virtual care apps has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new study from Canadian researchers suggests that some of these platforms may be using patient data to promote specific drugs and services. The study, published in BMJ Open, involved interviews with industry insiders and analysis of privacy documents from virtual care companies. It found that the for-profit virtual care industry sees patient data as a revenue stream and may not adequately protect patients’ privacy.