London - Personal data on UK smartphone fitness apps are being sold to advertisers and other firms, it is claimed.
The apps, including MapMyRun, are used to track exercise sessions and record details such as running times.
Research published on Monday suggests the 20 most-visited apps pass information to nearly 70 companies.
The findings, by web analytics and privacy group Evidon, have been criticised by campaigners who said it presented a “stark warning” to users.
Emma Carr of Big Brother Watch, said: “With some applications’ terms and conditions reading longer than a Shakespearean play, it is no wonder that the developers are able to hide behind small print and legal jargon.”
The study found that information from MapMyRun was passed to 11 firms – including advertising companies – some of which are subsidiaries of Google, and other digital groups.
Experts fear that if health data was sold to insurance firms, they could use it to set premiums.
In the US, MapMyFitness already earns half of its revenue from partnerships with insurance companies. - Daily Mail