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Cited by 111Privacy, Security, and Data ProtectionDigital Mental Health InterventionsMobile Health and mHealth Applications

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 26 of the 26 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Availability, readability, and content of privacy policies and terms of agreements of mental health apps

Open access
Robillard, Julie M., Feng, Tanya L., Sporn, Arlo B., Lai, Jen-Ai, Lo, Cody, Ta, Monica, Nadler, Roland·2019·Internet Interventions
DOI 10.1016/j.invent.2019.100243PMC PMC6430038
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the availability, readability, and privacy-related content of the privacy policies and terms of agreement of mental health apps available through popular digital stores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Popular smartphone app stores were searched using combinations of keywords "track" and "mood" and their synonyms. The first 100 apps from each search were evaluated for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Apps were assessed for availability of a privacy policy (PP) and terms of agreement (ToA) and if available, these documents were evaluated for both content and readability. RESULTS: Most of the apps collected in the sample did not include a PP or ToA. PPs could be accessed for 18% of iOS apps and 4% of Android apps; whereas ToAs were available for 15% of iOS and 3% of Android apps. Many PPs stated that users' information may be shared with third parties (71% iOS, 46% Android). DISCUSSION: Results demonstrate that information collection is occurring with the majority of apps that allow users to track the status of their mental health. Most of the apps collected in the initial sample did not include a PP or ToA despite this being a requirement by the store. The majority of PPs and ToAs that were evaluated are written at a post-secondary reading level and disclose that extensive data collection is occurring. CONCLUSION: Our findings raise concerns about consent, transparency, and data sharing associated with mental health apps and highlight the importance of improved regulation in the mobile app environment.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.invent.2019.100243

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Figures

Fig. 1 A) Nature of information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13). B) Types of information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).
Fig. 1 A) Nature of information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13). B) Types of information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Uses of information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).
Fig. 2 Uses of information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 3 A) Nature of information shared with third parties described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13). B) Types of third parties described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).
Fig. 3 A) Nature of information shared with third parties described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13). B) Types of third parties described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 Reasons for disclosing information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).
Fig. 4 Reasons for disclosing information described in privacy policies (sample: n = 62, iOS: n = 56, Android: n = 13).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 5 A) Description of license granted to developer described in terms of agreements (sample: n = 56, iOS: n = 47, Android: n = 12). B) License privileges granted to developer described in terms of agreements (sample: n = 56, iOS: n = 47, Android: n = 12).
Fig. 5 A) Description of license granted to developer described in terms of agreements (sample: n = 56, iOS: n = 47, Android: n = 12). B) License privileges granted to developer described in terms of agreements (sample: n = 56, iOS: n = 47, Android: n = 12).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Olmstead K, Atkinson M, 2015. Chapter 1: the majority of smartphone owners download apps [online]. Pew Res. Cent. Internet Sci. Tech. URL http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/11/10/the-majority-of-smartphone-owners-download-apps/ (date accessed 3.23.17).

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Metadata

Authors
Robillard, J. M., Feng, T. L., Sporn, A. B., Lai, J.-A., Lo, C., Ta, M., & Nadler, R.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • University of Ottawa (CA)
Corresponding author
Robillard, Julie M.
ORCID
Venue
Internet Interventions
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-09
Volume
17
Pages
100243
ISSN
2214-7829 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.invent.2019.100243
PMC
PMC6430038
OpenAlex
W2921902116
Cited by
111
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 4
FWCI
31.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Internet Interventions (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
  • British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Privacy, Security, and Data Protection
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords
mental health apps, privacy policies, contract terms, readability, data sharing, third-party data sharing, informed consent, transparency, mood tracking, digital mental health

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