Headspace

First reviewed April 20, 2022. Review updated, April 25, 2023
Well dang. In 2022, Headspace was one of the few apps we reviewed that actually did NOT receive our *Privacy Not Included warning label. Unfortunately, in 2023, it looks like Headspace has taken a step backward. This year they earned two privacy dings from us. First, for our concerns about how they say they can share some personal information with third parties, including Facebook, to target ads. We have that same concern this year. This year are also unable to confirm based on Headspace's privacy policy that all users, regardless of what privacy laws they live under, have the right to access and delete their data. Boo! So, it looks like in 2023 Headspace's privacy practices have gotten a bit worse. Headspace now earns our *Privacy Not Included warning label. Bummer.

Read our review from 2022:

Headspace does collect some personal data on users, including -- name, e-mail address, phone number, divine information, app usage data, and Facebook ID -- although seemingly not as much as some of the other mental health apps we reviewed. Still, they collect your personal and app usage information and say they can share that information with third parties like Google and Facebook to target advertising and make personalizations within the app. Unfortunately, this is pretty standard practice for apps like this in our current data economy. Still, it's not great if you care more deeply about your privacy.

Does it matter if Facebook knows when you use a meditation app, if Google knows where you use the app, or if Headspace knows you're searching for a meditation to help you prepare for a big exam? It could. What's the worst that could happen? Well, here's a blog from Headspace talking about how they are developing machine learning applications to use your data in real-time to offer "recommendations that engage our users with new relevant, personalized content that builds consistent habits in their lifelong journey." New, consistent habits could also be interpreted as keeping users using the app as much as possible. One idea they mention in this post is to use users' biometric data such as steps or heart rate to then recommend in real-time more content to get them moving or exercising. OK, that's not necessarily a bad thing. But what more could a company potentially learn about you and do with that data? Perhaps learn your emotional state? Your anxiety level? And then target more content or advertising to you when you're more vulnerable? We don't think this is currently happening with Headspace. But the title of this section is "what could happen if something goes wrong?" And it seems, now or in the future, there are many things that could go wrong with this sort of vast data collection, processing, and the personalization and ad targeting that follows.

All in all, Headspace isn't the worst meditation app we reviewed. It does collect a good amount of data though, shares some of that data with third parties for things such as targeted advertising, and seems to be looking to use more of that data to keep you on the app as much as possible. Like we said, unfortunately, this is the norm for apps in our current data economy. The question is, should it be?