Analysis of Diabetes Apps to Assess Privacy-Related Permissions: Systematic Search of Apps

Background Mobile health has become a major vehicle of support for people living with diabetes. Accordingly, the availability mobile apps diabetes been steadily increasing. Most previous reviews have focused on apps’ features and their alignment clinical guidelines. However, there is lack knowledge actual compliance privacy data security Objective The aim this study was to assess levels contribute raising awareness issues app users, developers, governmental protection regulators. Methods We developed semiautomatic search module capable retrieving Android privacy-related information, particularly dangerous permissions required by apps, analyzing aspects related apps. Following research selection criteria, original 882 were narrowed down 497 that included in analysis. Results Approximately 60% analyzed requested potentially permissions, which pose significant risk users’ privacy. In addition, 28.4% (141/497) did not provide website policy. Moreover, it found 40.0% (199/497) contained advertising, some claimed contain advertisements actually did. Ninety-five percent free, those belonging “medical” “health fitness” categories most popular. users do always realize free business model largely based advertising and, consequently, sharing or selling private data, either directly indirectly, unknown third parties. Conclusions aforementioned findings confirm necessity educating patients care providers regarding Therefore, recommends properly comprehensively training ensuring governments regulatory bodies enforce strict laws, devising much tougher policies protocols Google Play Store, implicating supervising all stakeholders development process.