<
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/top-mental-health-and-prayer-apps-fail-spectacularly-at-privacy-security/>
"(SAN FRANCISCO, CA | MONDAY, MAY 2) — When it comes to protecting people’s
privacy and security, mental health and prayer apps are worse than any other
product category Mozilla researchers have reviewed over the past six years,
according to Mozilla's latest
*Privacy Not Included guide.
Released today for May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Mozilla investigated
the privacy and security practices of 32 mental health and prayer apps, like
Talkspace, Better Help, Calm, and Glorify. 28 of the 32 apps were slapped with
a
*Privacy Not Included warning label, indicating strong concerns over user
data management. And 25 apps failed to meet Mozilla’s Minimum Security
Standards, like requiring strong passwords and managing security updates and
vulnerabilities.
Despite these apps dealing with incredibly sensitive issues — like depression,
anxiety, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, eating disorders, and PTSD —
they routinely share data, allow weak passwords, target vulnerable users with
personalized ads, and feature vague and poorly written privacy policies.
The apps that Mozilla investigated connect users with therapists; feature AI
chat bots, community support pages, and prayers; offer mood journals and
well-being assessment; and more. Mozilla researchers spent 255 hours — over
eight hours per product — writing the guide."
Via Violet Blue’s
Cybersecurity Roundup: June 27, 2023
https://www.patreon.com/posts/cybersecurity-27-85188772
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
