Your health data is being sold without your consent

Your health information might feel private and secure with your doctor, but the reality is far more complicated. Data brokers collect a wide range of sensitive health data, from diagnoses and prescription details to personal identifiers, and sell this data to marketers, insurers, and other third parties. These buyers use the information to target ads, adjust insurance premiums, or even for purposes you might not expect. Understanding who holds your health data and how it's used and shared is crucial to protecting your privacy.

Data brokers typically don't have access to your official medical records. But they're not regulated under HIPAA or any other laws, so they can legally collect:

This isn't harmless marketing data. When health information lands in the wrong hands, it creates real risks:

And it's not just marketers. A recent government-backed autism study led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked outrage after it was revealed that private health data was collected from federal and commercial databases without clear safeguards.  Security experts warn that this kind of large-scale data collection runs the risk of exposing deeply personal information with little oversight.

Worried about who has access to your health data? While you can't control every breach or broker, you can take steps to limit what's collected, shared, and sold. Here's how to take back control of your digital health footprint-starting today.

1) Use a personal data removal service: Data brokers collect and sell sensitive health information, including diagnoses, prescriptions, and personal identifiers, to marketers, insurers, and other third parties. This means details about your pharmacy purchases, symptom-related searches, and more could be circulating without your knowledge. A personal data removal service can help you take back control. This is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your privacy and protect yourself and your family from risks like scams, higher insurance premiums, and discrimination.

2) Audit your apps and privacy settings: Health and fitness apps collect more than you realize. Delete the ones you don't trust and check permissions on the rest

3) Be wary of free health quizzes and symptom checkers: If a site asks for personal details in exchange for "insights," assume it's monetizing your answers. Consult your doctor, not a clickbait quiz.

4) Limit data sharing beyond healthcare providers: Only provide necessary information when signing up for health-related services or apps. Be wary of sharing health details on social media or in public forums, as these can be scraped by data brokers.

5) Request data minimization from providers: Ask your healthcare providers to collect and store only the minimum amount of personal information necessary for your care, reducing the risk if their systems are compromised.

Your health should be personal, but in today's digital world, that privacy is constantly under threat. Even if you're cautious, your health-related information can be collected, analyzed, and sold without your clear consent. The good news is that you can take real steps to reduce your exposure and protect what matters. This isn't about fear; it's about staying informed and taking control of your digital footprint.

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