FTC cracks down on medical, location data privacy

FTC location data privacy crackdown overview: 

• Who: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it intends to crack down on individuals illegally sharing sensitive location and health data in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. 
• Why: The FTC is concerned with protecting the privacy of consumers following the decision, which could lead to some states placing outright bans on abortion and criminalizing those who seek them or help others access them. 
• Where: The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has nationwide implications. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it intends to fully enforce the law against anyone who illegally shares highly sensitive location, health and other sensitive data. 

The announcement, which was made in a FTC blog post on July 11, came only days after President Biden said he planned to sign an executive order to protect access to abortion and reproductive health services. 

Biden’s announcement followed the Supreme Court’s decision last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, which placed back into the hands of the states the ability to determine the legality of abortion. 

Kristin Cohen, the acting associate director of the FTC’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, wrote in the blog post that having highly sensitive data exposed can result in “significant harm.” 

“The exposure of health information and medical conditions, especially data related to sexual activity or reproductive health, may subject people to discrimination, stigma, mental anguish or other serious harms,” Cohen wrote. 

The agency says that it will “vigorously” work to enforce laws meant to protect the private data of consumers in the event it discovers that their location, health or or sensitive data is being exploited. 

“The Commission is committed to using the full scope of its legal authorities to protect consumers’ privacy,” Cohen said. 

Data privacy at center of discussions following Roe v. Wade ruling

A consumer’s sensitive data, such as their location and health information, can be traced and stored by a number of electronic devices, including smartphones, connected cars and wearable fitness trackers, according to the FTC. 

“Standing alone, these data points may pose an incalculable risk to personal privacy,” Cohen wrote. “Now consider the unprecedented intrusion when these connected devices and technology companies collect that data, combine it, and sell or monetize it.”

Google, for its part, announced earlier this month that it intends to delete any location data related to trips to abortion clinics or other health providers in the wake of the Roe v. Wade decision. 

Period tracking app developers have also responded to the Supreme Court’s decision by taking a closer look at the data privacy protections they have in place for their users. 

Are you worried about your location data privacy following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade? Let us know in the comments! 

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