Apple is now collecting some medical data from iPhones. Here's why

When Apple launched ResearchKit more than a year ago, the promise was to allow people from all over the world to participate in studies for medical research via iPhones and other Apple devices. At the time, the company made clear it was not in the business of collecting medical and research data from users — that was between the subjects and the researcher (mostly hospitals and universities).

Now that's changing.

Two apps have updated their fine-print details to include Apple itself as a "secondary" researcher. Mole Mapper, an app from Oregon Health & Science University that tracks skin moles to help prevent melanoma, and the mPower Research App for Parkinson’s now list the tech giant as a third party that can receive medical data from study participants. Read more...