Flo Health utilized various tools and services for their application, potentially breaking their own privacy policy by storing certain data on third-party cloud infrastructure.
Flo Health appears to have used Amazon Web Services, known for robust data protection, but added language about this usage to their privacy policy only in 2020.
The WSJ reported that Flo Health exposed users' private health data to Facebook, Google, and other vendors, leading to lawsuits and privacy violations.
Both Facebook and Google denied using the data for ads personalization, but the situation raised concerns about users' privacy and trust being compromised.
The breach could lead to unintended consequences, such as data exposure to other developers, impacting users negatively.
The lack of trust due to privacy breaches could result in individuals withholding vital health information from providers, affecting their healthcare decisions.
Facebook's incomplete documentation for developers may have contributed to the misuse of data by companies like Flo Health, highlighting the need for better education and transparency.
Flo Health's introduction of an 'Anonymous Mode' post-privacy breach implies an acknowledgment of their inability to ensure data security and privacy for users.
The article suggests that improving developer-facing documentation could lead to better compliance with terms of service and clearer understanding of data usage policies.
Overall, the combination of unclear policies, lack of transparency, and potential data breaches highlights the importance of ensuring user privacy and trust in app development.