Key facts
- The FTC is suing Hims & Hers for allegedly sharing user health data with Meta and Snap.
- The agency also accuses the telehealth platform of deceptive billing and cancellation practices.
- Hims & Hers shared sensitive health information through website interactions and tracking technologies.
- Many customers are allegedly charged for prescriptions before consulting with a healthcare provider.
- The FTC plans to file the lawsuit in conjunction with Los Angeles County and Utah.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is initiating legal action against Hims & Hers, a prominent telehealth provider, alleging that the company improperly shared sensitive user health information with major online advertisers, including Meta Platforms and Snap. The FTC also plans to accuse Hims & Hers of engaging in deceptive billing and cancellation practices.
According to the FTC spokesperson, Hims & Hers allegedly transmitted users' health data through their website interactions and via tracking technologies. This occurred despite the company's stated commitment to user privacy. The agency further claims that Hims & Hers often charges customers for prescriptions before they have had the opportunity to consult with a healthcare provider, with many users filling out intake forms and being charged shortly thereafter without a formal consultation.
The lawsuit, which the FTC intends to file alongside Los Angeles County and the state of Utah, also targets the company's subscription cancellation process, which is described as difficult to navigate. Hims & Hers is a significant player in the telehealth market, particularly for weight loss drugs, and also offers services for conditions such as erectile dysfunction and hair loss.