Lansing, MI - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a new consumer alert focused on consumer protection measures residents can enact right now to protect their personal information that companies obtain when you sign up for certain services, like phone applications that track fertility and menstrual cycles.
The Protecting Private Health and Location Data Consumer Alert is now available on the Department’s alerts page.
“I implore Michigan residents to read the fine print in the user agreements for phone applications and programs because their registration often gives companies the right to sell personal information to other companies. Be aware that your information may be sold to entities for other uses” Nessel said.
Here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to protect personal data:
- Compare options on privacy. When considering a health app, ask some key questions:
- Why does the app collect information?
- How does the app share that information – and with whom?
- Then choose the app with the level of privacy preferred.
- Take control of personal information.
- Do app settings let the user control the health information the app collects and shares?
- Is the app up to date?
- Know the risks.
- Are the app’s services worth risking personal information getting into the wrong hands
- Report concerns. Do you think a health app shared personal information without permission?
For more information, additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.