Elsevier

Internet Interventions

Volume 15, March 2019, Pages 110-115
Internet Interventions

Reviewing the data security and privacy policies of mobile apps for depression

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2018.12.001Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Fewer than half of mobile apps for depression have a privacy policy.

  • Privacy policies were more common in apps that collect identifiable information.

  • Most privacy policies are provided only after users enter data.

  • Most privacy policies were deemed unacceptable at conveying security and privacy.

Abstract

Background

Mobile apps have become popular resources for mental health support. Availability of information about developers' data security procedures for health apps, specifically those targeting mental health, has not been thoroughly investigated. If people are to use and trust these tools for their mental health, it is crucial we evaluate the transparency and quality around the data practices of these apps. The present study reviewed data security and privacy policies of mobile apps for depression.

Methods

We reviewed mobile apps retrieved from iTunes and Google Play stores in October 2017, using the term “depression”, and evaluated the transparency of data handling procedures of those apps.

Results

We identified 116 eligible mobile phone apps. Of those, 4% (5/116) received a transparency score of acceptable, 28% (32/116) questionable, and 68% (79/116) unacceptable. Only a minority of the apps (49%) had a privacy policy. The availability of policies differed significantly by platform, with apps from iTunes more likely to have a policy than from the Google Play store. Mobile apps collecting identifiable information were significantly more likely to have a privacy policy (79%) compared to those collecting only non-identifiable information (34%).

Conclusion

The majority of apps reviewed were not sufficiently transparent with information regarding data security. Apps have great potential to scale mental health resources, providing resources to people unable or reluctant to access traditional face-to-face care, or as an adjunct to treatment. However, if they are to be a reasonable resource, they must be safe, secure, and responsible.

Keywords

Depression
Mental health
Mobile apps
mHealth
Review
Data privacy

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