FTC Seeks Privacy of Apple Inc. (AAPL) Owners Health Data

Apple Cupertino headquarters

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has said that it is committed to maintain the privacy of its customers’ health data. The company was approached by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to discuss the privacy issue linked to the health data collected by the Apple’s tablets, Smartphones and Smartwatches. FTC wants to ensure that the data is not used without the owners’ consent.

The meetings

The FTC has held several meetings with Apple in the past few months to discuss on the privacy matter. FTC is more interested in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s upcoming Smartwatch and its feature to track the pulse. Apple has said on every meeting that it has no plans to sell health data. Also, it will not permit third parties to sell health data to any of the companies.

No formal investigation

FTC is just concerned about the privacy matter as it has not planned any formal investigation on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s use of health data. The commission wants to know the steps Apple has taken to keep the data secure. Apple has plans to store the data in HealthKit. It is a specially designed backend service that control the health apps and sharing of health data.

The third parties are not allowed to use the data that they come across while advertising. They can just use the data for providing fitness and health services.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been working closely with regulators across the world to let them know the process of storing health data. The HealthKit is designed keeping privacy in mind.

FTC is concerned with health data collected by all the companies as the data is not kept private in the way HIPAA does. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was aware that the US regulators can approach the company regarding the matter. Therefore, it already had meetings with the FDA regarding the regulation aspects of medical apps and devices.