Regulators allege the telehealth giant shared sensitive medical data with Meta and Snap while trapping consumers in deceptive subscription loops.
The Federal Trade Commission, in a joint action with Utah and Los Angeles County, filed a significant lawsuit on July 29, 2026, against the telehealth provider Hims & Hers. The complaint, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges the company engaged in deceptive health-data surveillance and utilized predatory billing practices that harmed consumers. This legal challenge represents a broadening of federal and state enforcement against the encroaching power of digital health platforms and their symbiotic relationship with big-tech advertising giants.
According to the filing, Hims & Hers shared sensitive customer lists tied to specific medical conditions with advertising behemoths Meta and Snap. Regulators claim the company utilized third-party tracking technologies that automatically transmitted user “events” from its website to these platforms, despite public-facing promises of patient privacy and confidentiality. This data-sharing model allowed tech giants to further entrench their surveillance apparatus using the private medical inquiries of unsuspecting patients, effectively turning sensitive health information into a commodity for ad-targeting algorithms. Following the announcement of the 2-0 Commission vote to authorize the suit, market reaction was swift, with shares of Hims & Hers falling approximately 12 percent by the close of business.
Beyond data privacy, the FTC is targeting the company’s use of “dark patterns” under the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act. The complaint alleges that Hims & Hers created opaque subscription billing structures and intentionally placed hurdles in the cancellation process, effectively trapping users in recurring payments. These tactics, often used by consolidated market players to artificially inflate retention rates, are a primary focus for regulators seeking to protect individual liberty in the digital marketplace. This enforcement action signals a shift toward a coordinated state-local partnership model to combat corporate overreach, suggesting that the era of “growth at any cost” via data exploitation is facing a serious legal reckoning.
While the FTC targets corporate data practices, the Department of Justice faces a separate credibility crisis on Capitol Hill regarding institutional favoritism. Senator John Cornyn has twice canceled meetings with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose nomination is now in jeopardy as of July 29. The friction stems from a controversial DOJ settlement that shields President Trump, his family, and his businesses from IRS audits on pre-settlement returns. Cornyn and Senator Thom Tillis have expressed deep skepticism, demanding written assurances that the settlement does not provide prospective immunity or protection for non-parties.
Although the DOJ recently abandoned a proposed $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” following bipartisan backlash, the audit-immunity provisions remain in force. A federal judge previously criticized the settlement as an attempt to earmark taxpayer money to redress grievances not defined in law. This confirmation fight, set for a July 30 Judiciary Committee markup, highlights broader concerns about the weaponization of the DOJ and the necessity of maintaining a market where the law applies equally to the powerful and the public alike.
These developments occur against a backdrop of broader economic volatility. While the U.S. economy showed signs of acceleration earlier in the month, the collapse of Iran peace talks and subsequent ballistic missile attacks on a U.S. base in Jordan have sent oil prices fluctuating wildly, reaching above $95 per barrel before a brief dip and subsequent rise. As inflation pressures mount and supply chains face renewed disruptions, the necessity for transparent, competitive markets and accountable government institutions has never been more apparent to the American consumer.
Greg Sanders serves as the Senior Correspondent for Corporate Power and Antitrust at Just Right News, where he brings a principled, conservative perspective to the complex intersection of big business, government regulation, and the American consumer. With a career dedicated to investigative depth and economic clarity, Greg has become a leading voice in examining how the consolidation of industry power impacts the foundational values of the free market and individual liberty.
Raised in Denver, Colorado, Greg’s reporting is deeply informed by the Western spirit of independence and a healthy skepticism of centralized authority. Growing up in the shadows of the Rockies, he witnessed firsthand the importance of local entrepreneurship and the vital role that small-medium enterprises play in sustaining vibrant communities. This upbringing instilled in him a belief that the American Dream is best preserved when the playing field remains level and when competition—rather than backroom deals between corporate lobbyists and federal regulators—dictates success. For Greg, the rugged individualism of his home state serves as a constant reminder that the economy should serve the people, not the other way around.
Now based in Chicago, Illinois, Greg operates from the heart of the nation’s industrial and financial crossroads. His location in the Midwest provides him with a unique vantage point to observe the real-world consequences of corporate overreach. From the boardrooms of the Loop to the manufacturing hubs that define the region, he tracks the movement of capital and the shifting tides of market influence. Chicago’s history as a center of trade and labor offers a rich backdrop for his work, allowing him to bridge the gap between high-level economic theory and the lived experiences of hardworking Americans who feel the squeeze of monopolistic practices.
At Just Right News, Greg’s beat focuses on the “new monopolies” and the rise of “woke” corporate culture. He argues that when corporations become too large, they often abandon their fiduciary duties to shareholders in favor of social engineering and political posturing. His reporting seeks to hold these “Titans” accountable, ensuring that the power of the purse is not used to silence dissent or bypass the democratic process. He is a firm advocate for the idea that true conservatism requires a vigilant defense of competition, preventing any single entity—public or private—from exerting undue control over the lives of citizens.
This mission is most clearly seen in his acclaimed feature series, “The Titans and the Toll.” In this ongoing project, Greg explores the human cost of market consolidation, from the erosion of consumer choice to the decline of local economies. Through rigorous analysis and boots-on-the-ground reporting, he documents how the concentration of power in sectors like tech, agriculture, and finance creates a “toll” paid by the average family.
Greg Sanders remains committed to the idea that a transparent, competitive market is the greatest engine for prosperity ever devised. Through his work at Just Right News, he continues to provide the essential oversight necessary to protect that engine from the encroaching influence of corporate giants and the bureaucratic structures that enable them.