--- title: "FTC Accuses Telehealth Firms of Deceptive Practices and Data Sharing" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/ftc-accuses-telehealth-firms-of-deceptive-practices-and-data-sharing" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ftc-accuses-telehealth-firms-of-deceptive-practices-and-data-sharing" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/ftc-accuses-telehealth-firms-of-deceptive-practices-and-data-sharing.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ftc-accuses-telehealth-firms-of-deceptive-practices-and-data-sharing" category: "Health" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-20T09:25:27.726Z" source_reported: "2026-09-20T02:29:31.000Z" updated: "2026-09-20T09:25:27.726Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-20T06:32:23.238Z" --- # FTC Accuses Telehealth Firms of Deceptive Practices and Data Sharing *Regulators allege companies like Hims & Hers shared user data and used misleading subscription tactics.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 38 digests provide evidence, with claims attributed to the FTC and named experts. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates facts from comment and includes expert opinions and regulatory actions. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline accurately reflects the content, but the widespread reporting creates a sense of urgency. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Government regulators are accusing telehealth companies of deceptive and unethical business practices, including the disclosure of customer health data. - The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, alleging deceptive tactics and data sharing. - Hims & Hers has denied the allegations, stating the lawsuit is an attempt to generate headlines. - Experts note that federal laws governing health information often do not apply to telehealth companies, creating a gap in consumer protection. Government regulators are accusing telehealth companies of deceptive and unethical business practices, including disclosing customer health data and enrolling users in hard-to-cancel subscriptions. The Federal Trade Commission's latest lawsuit names telehealth pioneer Hims & Hers, alleging the company engaged in these tactics and violated U.S. consumer protection laws. Hims & Hers has disputed the government's claims, calling them an effort to generate headlines. The FTC has pursued similar cases against other telehealth companies, such as BetterHelp and GoodRx, alleging they shared user health data with platforms like Meta and Google without permission. Experts point out that federal laws governing health information, like HIPAA, generally do not apply to many telehealth companies, creating a gap where companies collect and share consumer health data without specific sector regulations. This lack of clear federal law allows companies to disclose sensitive health information to advertisers and search engines, according to privacy experts. An analysis of nearly 50 telehealth companies selling GLP-1 drugs found that less than a third required a real-time video or audio consultation with a physician. In some instances, prescriptions were approved within minutes. This practice means patients may not receive the comprehensive care recommended by medical societies, which includes discussions about weight-loss goals, past efforts, and potential eating disorders, as GLP-1 drugs can induce or worsen such conditions. Only slightly more than half of the surveyed websites included questions about eating disorders on their intake forms. ## Disagreement on regulatory scope While the FTC has used its broader authority to act against "fraudulent, deceptive or unethical business methods," experts note that the penalties available to regulators are limited. In most cases, companies agree to stop the cited practices. However, some reports indicate that federal laws governing health information generally do not apply to telehealth companies, while others suggest that the FTC has used its authority to take action against deceptive practices, implying some level of regulatory oversight. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports printed below mention the analysis that found less than a third of telehealth companies selling GLP-1 drugs required a real-time video or audio consultation with a physician. ## Who covered it Shares of the 40 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 50% (20) - Centre: 40% (16) - Right: 10% (4) 1 of 41 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-20T06:32:23.238Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-20T10:30:31.453Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit against Hims & Hers, highlighting accusations of deceptive practices and sharing customer health data. These reports frequently mentioned that federal laws governing health information generally do not apply to telehealth companies, creating a gap in consumer protection. They also emphasised findings from a study showing that less than a third of telehealth companies selling GLP-1 drugs required real-time consultations with a physician. The reports quoted experts like Andrew Crawford of the Center for Democracy and Technology and Dr. Reshma Ramachandran of Yale University. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the FTC's lawsuit against Hims & Hers, detailing accusations of deceptive tactics and sharing user data. These reports also highlighted the appeal of telehealth for quick access to prescriptions and the subsequent regulatory concerns. They noted that federal laws governing health information often do not apply to these companies. Several centre-rated reports included the detail that less than a third of telehealth companies selling GLP-1 drugs required a real-time consultation with a physician. The reports often began with the phrase, "The appeal of telehealth is easy to explain." ### Right - Right-rated reports mentioned that the FTC is suing telehealth giant Hims & Hers for sharing customer health data and using deceptive subscription tactics. These reports also noted the increase in telehealth services since COVID-19. The New York Post headline stated, "Telehealth services increased since COVID-19, but have been accused of deceptive practices." **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 13 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 24 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/19/lifestyle/telehealth-increased-in-covid-19-accused-of-deceptive-practices) — Telehealth services increased since COVID-19 — but have been accused of deceptive practices - [ResearchBuzz: Firehose | Individual posts from ResearchBuzz](https://rbfirehose.com/2026/09/19/associated-press-telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Associated Press: Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers’ medical data. What should they do? - [The Philadelphia Tribune](https://phillytrib.com/news/health/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_997979a2-9690-4cb8-9a9c-e7f413b9da38.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [WWAY TV](https://wwaytv3.com/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc 7 Chicago](https://abc7chicago.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc 6 Philadelphia](https://6abc.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc 7 LA](https://abc7.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc 13 Houston](https://abc13.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc 7 NY](https://abc7ny.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc11 Raleigh](https://abc11.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc 7 News](https://abc7news.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc30 News](https://abc30.com/story/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-customers-medical-data-what-should-do/19849774) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [regionalmedianews.com](https://regionalmedianews.com/news/national/health/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers’ medical data. What should they do? - Regional Media News - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/19/telehealths-quick-prescriptions-come-hidden-cost-health-data) — Telehealth's quick prescriptions come with a hidden cost: your health data - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/health-news/11152259/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers’ medical data. What should they do? - [The Blade](https://toledoblade.com/news/medical/2026/09/19/telehealth-companies-expose-customers-medical-data/stories/20260919082) — Telehealth companies expose customers' medical data - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/09/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers’ medical data. What should they do? – WTOP News - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2026/09/19/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_9f31a467-3ca0-53b8-93c2-f04b69d8d81a.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers’ medical data. What should they do? - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/lifestyle/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do-12798984) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_7db81ae3-a412-54c7-b33e-ecc05c1eec72.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers’ medical data. What should they do? - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/federal-trade-commission-adhd-americans-experts-washington-b3052871.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/telehealth-companies-exposing-customers-medical-data-136583483) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/health/2026/09/19/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/09/19/nation/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/federal-trade-commission-adhd-americans-experts-washington-b3052871.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [Enid News & Eagle](https://enidnews.com/region/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_e460cb97-c552-5746-8416-e63208ec5f85.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [Beckley Register-Herald](https://register-herald.com/region/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_aa613d19-6fcc-5cac-b837-e6d38842cfa2.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_c1c5a2fb-a291-5ea4-96ec-b894a232915a.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [El Paso Inc.](https://elpasoinc.com/news/ap_wire/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_c1310de5-2034-545a-bf41-8aced4741f89.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [McAlester News-Capital](https://mcalesternews.com/region/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_c12d6aba-7510-5e1e-b4cd-fc70e52a621b.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [SooLeader.com](https://sooleader.com/michigan-news-ap/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do-12798990) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [Daily Record](https://dailyrecordnews.com/ap_news/hitech/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_922e3355-03bd-548d-af5b-b3746c09c93d.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [Beloit Daily News](https://beloitdailynews.com/news/national-news/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_168a19b4-ef93-5071-b325-0a4480876430.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/business/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_5289393d-19a9-53c5-b87a-f02ae068ff34.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [The Sun Chronicle](https://thesunchronicle.com/news/nation_world/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_b0cfe4ad-4de9-5b66-8ae7-11f18d0a12a2.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [coasttv.com](https://coasttv.com/news/national/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_d86757a5-e6bb-5073-9f2d-02ef1f271d7b.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers’ medical data. What should they do? - [KULR-TV](https://kulr8.com/news/syndicated/telehealth-companies-keep-exposing-their-customers-medical-data-what-should-they-do/article_4d1d4279-00b5-59b6-8505-c492589c53dc.html) — Telehealth companies keep exposing their customers' medical data. What should they do? ## Questions **What is the Federal Trade Commission accusing telehealth companies of?** The FTC is accusing telehealth companies, including Hims & Hers, of deceptive and unethical business practices. These allegations include sharing customer health data with third parties and using misleading subscription tactics, leading to a lawsuit against Hims & Hers. **Why are telehealth companies able to share customer data?** Experts state that federal laws governing health information, such as HIPAA, generally do not apply to many telehealth companies. This creates a gap in consumer protection, allowing these companies to collect and share sensitive health data with advertisers and search engines without explicit consent. **What did an analysis find about consultations for GLP-1 drugs?** A recent analysis of nearly 50 telehealth companies selling GLP-1 drugs found that less than a third required a real-time video or audio consultation with a physician. In some cases, prescriptions were approved within minutes, potentially leading to inadequate patient care. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/ftc-accuses-telehealth-firms-of-deceptive-practices-and-data-sharing. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "FTC Accuses Telehealth Firms of Deceptive Practices and Data Sharing", https://mediabias.news/health/ftc-accuses-telehealth-firms-of-deceptive-practices-and-data-sharing