HeHealth's AI-powered Calmara app, which claimed “our revolutionary AI technology provides fast, confidential and scientifically validated sexual health screening to give you peace of mind before stepping into an intimate relationship,” has now been shut down following an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The app encouraged dates to submit photos of their penises for testing for STIs and promised “clear, science-backed answers about your partner's sexual health,” according to an FTC letter dated July 11. The letter listed several FTC concerns about the information on which HeHealth based its claims, including that it could detect more than 10 STIs with 94 percent accuracy.
The FTC noted that HeHealth paid multiple study authors, that the main study it cited only evaluated four STIs rather than 10, and that the data used to train its AI model included images of users who had never taken a diagnostic test to confirm the results.
The HeHealth app, which uses the same AI, was promoted as an individual’s first step before connecting with a healthcare provider.
The company agreed to shut down both apps by July 15, and the Karmala website and links to the HeHealth app appear to be taken offline. The company also agreed to delete all personal information about customers it obtained through the apps and its payment vendors, and to request that vendors delete any data about customers, the FTC said.
“The FTC is so committed to consumer protection that they're willing to sift through pages of penis pictures to protect Americans from AI scammers,” said a source familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to comment publicly on the investigation. The Verge.
The FTC issued a civil investigative demand (similar to a subpoena) seeking information about Karmala's advertising claims and privacy practices, and notified HeHealth that it is unlawful to claim health benefits without “credible scientific evidence.”
HeHealth did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Verge.
The FTC said it would not pursue any further investigation because HeHealth agreed to these terms and because of the “low number of users and sales of Calmara in the United States,” but warned that “the Commission reserves the right to take further action as necessary in the public interest.”
