Using Mental Health Apps: Don't Put Your Privacy at Risk

pcmag.com:

Stress can be linked to your phone—and not in the way that you might think.

In a NordVPN survey(Opens in a new window), 58% of respondents said they use at least one app to improve their health. And mental health and meditation apps are among the most popular, particularly in English-speaking countries.

But those who use them are giving away personal data: email addresses (56%), names and surnames (53%), health information (52%), phone numbers (31%), photos (13%), payment information (12%), and contact lists (9%). 

That’s not to say that you shouldn't use apps that you find helpful. But you need to be cautious and adopt some best practices. 

Therapy apps ask for some of the most sensitive information—yet therapy can be incredibly helpful, and using an app for it can break down many of the barriers to receiving help. Every app is potentially risky, but to help mitigate some of the risk and to raise awareness of what you should look out for, PCMag offers a list of therapy apps. We note any concerns to keep in mind with particular apps and services. 

Meditation apps are another path to a calmer life that your phone can provide. They’re a way to locate some peace within yourself wherever you are and in whatever situation you find yourself in. To see what's available, take a look at our guide. 

When you’re choosing a mental health app (or any type of app), you can see what personal data it gathers by going to the App Privacy section(Opens in a new window) of the listing in the App Store or the Data Safety section(Opens in a new window) on Google Play. Additionally, you can use a VPN to limit third-party tracking on your phone, whether it’s an iPhone or Android. 

You can also read Mozilla’s Privacy Not Included report for