Many health apps are not overseen by any regulatory body, and as more claim to be legitimate medical devices, they are drawing scrutiny from healthcare professionals and the government for false claims.
The Federal Trade Commission cracked down on apps such as AcneApp, that claimed it could treat acne with the light of an iPhone screen, in 2011. The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter to Biosense Technologies, which produced an app claiming that it could use an iPhone camera to analyze urinalysis strips. The app is no longer marketed in the U.S., according to the New York Times. The FDA also came down on two apps which claimed they could detect melanoma risk in February 2015.
Although many of the apps include disclaimers that say they are meant for entertainment purposes, many consumers use the apps anyway for potential medical benefits. The FDA has issued recommendations for developers and distributors, noting that the agency would enforce regulatory requirements on apps that claim to treat, diagnose or prevent a medical condition, according to the report.
Some physicians are using review sites to help consumers choose apps. iMedicalApps, a review site, recommends reading the entirety of an app's description before purchasing and using it, or to consult with a physician before relying on an app for health monitoring, according to the report.