Telehealth brand Hims & Hers is facing major legal heat after federal regulators took decisive action over how the company treats patient privacy and customer wallets. On July 29, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alongside state attorneys from California and Utah, filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the direct-to-consumer medical platform misled consumers about subscription billing and improperly shared private medical data with third-party advertising giants.
At the core of the regulatory complaint are thousands of frustrated patients who say they were unexpectedly locked into recurring payment plans without explicit consent. According to the FTC, Hims & Hers routinely processed subscription charges almost immediately after users completed preliminary online health intake forms—frequently before patients had any real opportunity to consult with a medical provider or review recommended treatments. The commission alleges that advertising falsely implied consultations were free, while the platform created significant friction for anyone trying to stop automatic renewals. Consumers documented being hit with surprise charges ranging from hundreds to over a thousand dollars for weight loss and sexual health prescriptions, only to find hidden cancellation buttons and unresponsive customer service.
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Beyond tricky subscription tactics, the federal lawsuit alleges severe customer privacy violations. Despite advertising its services as strictly private, discreet, and secure, Hims & Hers allegedly embedded web tracking pixels that gathered and transmitted sensitive health details to major tech platforms, including Meta Platforms, Snap, Google, and Microsoft. The FTC claims that information regarding users’ specific medical concerns—such as hair loss, erectile dysfunction, and GLP-1 weight-loss treatments—was packaged to create precise audience lists for targeted marketing campaigns without user permission, directly breaching both the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act.
The lawsuit comes after regulatory records revealed more than 4,800 consumer complaints lodged against Hims & Hers over a five-year period, with many buyers reporting financial strain from unexpected auto-refill charges. In response, Hims & Hers vehemently denied the allegations, calling the claims baseless and asserting that its privacy practices and subscription terms are completely transparent and lawful. However, as direct-to-consumer healthcare platforms expand nationwide, this high-profile lawsuit serves as a major signal that regulators are closely scrutinizing digital health companies regarding subscription transparency, easy cancellation mechanisms, and strict patient confidentiality standards.
Sources Used
- CBS News: FTC sues Hims & Hers, alleging it shared people’s health data with Meta and Snap
- MedCity News: Why Hims & Hers Is Embroiled in Yet Another Controversy, This Time with the FTC
- Gizmodo: ‘They Are Thieves’: FTC Complaints About Hims & Hers Detail Surprise Charges
- MedTech Dive: FTC sues Hims & Hers over alleged privacy violations, deceptive billing practices
- Inc. Magazine: Hims & Hers Received 4,800 FTC Complaints in 5 Years
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