FTC sues telehealth firm Hims & Hers

On July 29, 2026, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, together with the state of Utah and Los Angeles County, filed a federal-court lawsuit against Hims & Hers Health Inc. (HIMS) The action focuses on the company’s conduct as a telehealth provider that operates primarily through its website to connect consumers with healthcare services and prescriptions.

The case reflects a coordinated effort by federal and local authorities to scrutinize how online health platforms collect, use and protect consumer information. By naming Hims & Hers (HIMS) in federal court, regulators are seeking judicial review of specific data and billing practices they allege are unlawful.

The complaint alleges that Hims & Hers shared users’ sensitive health information with online advertising companies, including Meta Platforms (META) and Snap (SNAP). Regulators state that this sharing occurred through interactions on the company’s website and via tracking technologies embedded in its digital services.

The health information at issue stems from users’ engagement with the telehealth platform, where customers seek services and prescriptions for various conditions. Regulators contend that this type of data qualifies as sensitive and merits heightened protection in how it is transmitted and used for advertising.

In addition to privacy concerns, the lawsuit plans to allege deceptive billing and subscription practices at Hims & Hers. Regulators assert that the company charges customers for prescriptions before they have met with healthcare providers. They also allege that most customers are billed soon after completing intake forms, even though they have not yet received a consultation.

The complaint further claims that Hims & Hers makes it difficult for customers to cancel subscriptions. These practices, if proven, would raise questions about how telehealth subscriptions are marketed, initiated and terminated, and about whether consumers are clearly informed before charges are incurred.

The lawsuit positions Hims & Hers at the center of a broader debate over consumer protection in digital health services. Regulators are challenging both the company’s data-sharing arrangements with advertisers and the mechanics of its billing workflows.

Beyond the specific allegations, the case underscores that telehealth providers face increasing scrutiny over how they handle sensitive health information and structure subscription models. The outcome could influence future standards for privacy safeguards and billing transparency across the telehealth sector.