Apple App Store · Apple Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Health and Sensitive Data Collection

High severity Rare · 1 of 325 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Apple collects health metrics such as heart rate, fitness activity, and other sensor data from Apple Watch and iPhone if you use health features or research apps — this is some of the most sensitive personal data Apple handles.

This analysis describes what Apple App Store's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

Health data is among the most sensitive categories of personal information under GDPR Article 9 and state biometric privacy laws, and its collection creates heightened legal obligations and privacy risks for users.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

If you use Apple Watch, Health app, or research studies on iPhone, Apple collects granular health and biometric data including heart rate — users should review what health data sharing is enabled in the Health app under Sources.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Open the Health app on your iPhone, tap your profile picture, go to Apps or Devices, select the source, and choose to stop sharing or delete health data. You can also delete all health data at privacy.apple.com.

How other platforms handle this

PlanetScale Medium

When you visit the Careers portion of our websites, we collect the information that you provide to us in connection with your job application. This includes but is not limited to business and personal contact information, professional credentials and skills, educational and work history and other in...

American Airlines Medium

American does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children – persons under the age of 13, or another age if required by applicable law – other than when required to comply with the law or for safety and security reasons. Due to the nature of our Services, we may collect travel i...

GOAT Medium

We may collect information about your location, including precise geolocation information, when you use our Services. We use this information to provide location-based services, such as showing you products available in your area, and for other purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
If you choose to share them, health-related data may be collected by Apple from Apple Watch or iPhone sensors, from HealthKit, such as heart rate, or from health-related features. If you participate in a study using the Research app, the policy for that study will describe how your research data is used. Other sensitive data, such as precise location or financial information, are treated with additional care.

— Excerpt from Apple App Store's Apple Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Health data constitutes 'special category' data under GDPR Art. 9, requiring explicit consent (Art. 9(2)(a)) or another specific derogation — enforced by EU DPAs including the Irish DPC. In the US, if Apple provides services to HIPAA-covered entities, health data may constitute PHI under 45 CFR Parts 160/164; however Apple's consumer health features are generally not HIPAA-covered absent a BAA. FTC Act Section 5 and the FTC's 2023 Health Breach Notification Rule (16 CFR Part 318) apply to unauthorized disclosure of consumer health data. Illinois BIPA (740 ILCS 14) may apply if biometric identifiers are collected via sensors. (2)

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC enforces the Health Breach Notification Rule and Section 5 against companies that improperly collect or share consumer health data.
    File a complaint →
  • Hhs Ocr
    HHS OCR enforces HIPAA and may have jurisdiction where Apple health data collection intersects with covered healthcare entities or business associate relationships.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
DMA
European Union
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Apple Privacy Policy
Entity
Apple App Store
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002413
Document ID
CA-D-00024
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
36e54b8290f2d5f4441e7bfd5492920450a4d5b256d9353a74fa7946d1065115
Analysis generated
March 6, 2026 20:19 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Apple App Store
Document: Apple Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-002413
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:19:48 UTC
SHA-256: 36e54b8290f2d5f4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/apple-app-store/apple-privacy-policy/health-and-sensitive-data-collection/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apple App Store's Health and Sensitive Data Collection clause do?

Health data is among the most sensitive categories of personal information under GDPR Article 9 and state biometric privacy laws, and its collection creates heightened legal obligations and privacy risks for users.

How does this clause affect you?

If you use Apple Watch, Health app, or research studies on iPhone, Apple collects granular health and biometric data including heart rate — users should review what health data sharing is enabled in the Health app under Sources.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 1 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Apple App Store?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Apple App Store.