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Five States Join FTC Lawsuit Against Telehealth Firm Hims and Hers

CaliforniaIP & Technology
Five States Join FTC Lawsuit Against Telehealth Firm Hims and Hers

Five more states have joined a federal lawsuit against telehealth provider Hims and Hers, according to an announcement from the Federal Trade Commission. The legal action alleges that the company shared sensitive health information of consumers with third-party advertising platforms while promising privacy.

The amended complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It expands an initial lawsuit brought in July by the federal agency, Utah, and California through Los Angeles County Counsel.

New States Added to the Case

The newly added co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. These states join Utah and California in the ongoing litigation. The Commission authorized staff to file the amended complaint in a 2-0 vote.

Prosecutors claim the company violated multiple state consumer protection laws alongside federal statutes. These include the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, as well as consumer protection laws from California and Utah.

Lawsuit Filings and Participants
7Total state entities involved
2-0Commission vote authorizing filing

Source: Federal Trade Commission

Allegations of Privacy and Billing Deception

The lawsuit details multiple ways the telehealth provider allegedly misled consumers. First, the complaint states that the company shared consumers’ private health information with Meta, Snap and other third parties despite claiming its services protect user privacy.

Second, the complaint claims the platform hides clear disclosures about billing. Users are reportedly charged for prescriptions almost immediately after submitting an intake form, even though the service tells customers they can first consult with a medical provider to find the right treatment. The lawsuit also alleges the company makes subscription cancellations difficult.

Video explainer: What Is the Federal Trade Commission Act and What Does It Enable the FTC to Do? — Lawline

What This Means for Consumers

A government complaint represents allegations that the Commission has reason to believe laws are being violated, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. The case will ultimately be decided by the court. Ordinary people who have used online telehealth platforms should monitor their subscriptions, review billing statements, and check privacy policies to understand how their personal data is handled.

When legal disputes arise over corporate privacy practices or billing transparency, talking to an attorney may help consumers understand their rights and options.

What this means: our conclusions

1 Risk1 What to watch1 Context1 What to do
  1. What to watchExpanded Enforcement

    The addition of five states signals a broader multi-state effort to crack down on alleged telehealth privacy and billing violations.

  2. RiskConsumer Protections at Stake

    The lawsuit highlights the ongoing risks ordinary people face regarding the confidentiality of their digital health records.

  3. ContextPresumption of Innocence

    The company faces formal accusations rather than a final judgment, meaning the court must decide the outcome of the claims.

  4. What to doAction for Online Users

    Consumers using telehealth services should carefully check their subscription terms, recurring charges, and privacy disclosures.

Overview of Hims and Hers Lawsuit Claims
AllegationDetails
Privacy PracticesShared sensitive health data with Meta, Snap and third parties.
Billing PracticesCharged for prescriptions immediately after intake form submission.
Subscription CancellationsMade it difficult for consumers to cancel ongoing subscriptions.
Co-PlaintiffsFTC, Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Utah, California.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

Primary sources & the law

This article is general information based on Federal Trade Commission and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published November 11, 2026.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

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