HeHealth's AI-powered Calmara app claimed: "Our innovative AI technology offers a quick, confidential and scientifically validated sexual health test, giving you peace of mind before diving into intimacy," but it has now been shut down following a request from the Federal Trade Service. Commission (FTC).

According to the FTC's July 11 letter, the app encouraged daters to submit penis photos to test for sexually transmitted infections and promised "clear, science-based answers about your partner's sexual health status." The letter outlines some of the agency's concerns about the information HeHealth relies on, including one that says it can detect more than 10 sexually transmitted infections with 94 percent accuracy.

The FTC noted that HeHealth paid multiple study authors, that the primary study the company cited only evaluated 4, not 10, sexually transmitted infections, and that the data used to train the AI ​​model included data from users who had never received a diagnostic test. to confirm the results. Medical professionals have questioned the credibility of the app's strategy, as most sexually transmitted diseases are asymptomatic, according to the World Health Organization. An investigation by the Los Angeles Times revealed that Kalmar could not even identify living objects or "textbook images" of sexually transmitted infections. YouTube videos also show Calmara marketing itself to women to research their dates, raising obvious questions about consent, although a March press release emphasized that the app requires "explicit consent."

The HeHealth app uses the same artificial intelligence to promote itself more as a first step for individuals before connecting with a healthcare provider. The company agreed to shut down both apps by July 15, and links to the Calmara website and HeHealth app appear to be offline. The company also agreed to delete any customer information obtained through the app or payment service providers and required those service providers to delete data about their customers, the FTC said. But articles describing the app and videos from Calmara that remain on YouTube as of Tuesday suggest it gave users signals about whether the genitals were "ready" or whether the user should refrain from sexual activity with a partner because of a possible STI. . At one point, the company reportedly marketed the app as "your intimate friend for unprotected sex."

"The FTC is so committed to protecting consumers that it is even willing to wade through websites with images of mice to protect Americans from AI scammers," a source familiar with the matter spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the study. , told The Verge. The FTC issued a civilian investigative need (similar to a subpoena) that sought information on Calmara's advertising requirements and privacy practices and stated hehealth that it is illegal to make a claim to health services without "reliable scientific evidence."

Hehealth did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The FTC said it would not pursue the investigation further as hehealth accepted these terms and because of "the small number of Calmara users and sales in the US" but it warned, "The Commission reserves the right to take such an additional action as the public interest may require. ”