Telehealth services increased since COVID-19 — but have been accused of deceptive practices
us.headtopics.com Sep 20, 2026

Telehealth services increased since COVID-19 — but have been accused of deceptive practices

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Telehealth firms, such as Hims & Hers, have surged in popularity since COVID‑19, offering rapid prescription services for conditions like ADHD and weight loss. Consumer Reports notes a lack of clear federal prohibitions, while the FTC has sued Hims for deceptive practices, including unauthorized data sharing with Meta and Google, automatic subscription enrollment, and bypassing real‑time doctor consultations. Similar complaints target BetterHelp and GoodRx. Experts argue that existing health‑privacy laws, like HIPAA, do not cover many telehealth operators, leaving consumers vulnerable.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The case exposes a regulatory blind spot that could allow widespread misuse of sensitive health data and unchecked subscription models, reshaping consumer protection in digital health.