Table 1 List of identified policies relevant to developers of mental health apps in Australia
From: A health app developer’s guide to law and policy: a multi-sector policy analysis
Regulatory domain/s addressed by policy | Policy Title | Jurisdiction | Author Sector |
|---|---|---|---|
LEGISLATIVE GUIDANCE | |||
Consumer privacy, Data security | Mobile Privacy: A Better Practice Guide for Mobile App Developers [22] | Australia | Privacy |
Consumer privacy, Data security | Opinion 02/2013 on Apps on Smart Devices [53] | EU | Privacy |
Consumer privacy, Data security | Mobile Health App Developers: FTC Best Practices (and accompanying Mobile Health Apps Interactive Tool) [20, 21] | USA | Commerce |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Promotion & Advertising | Commission Staff Working Document on the Existing EU Legal Framework Applicable to Lifestyle and Wellbeing Apps [6] | EU | Privacy, commerce, advertising |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Promotion & advertising | Marketing Your Mobile App: Get it Right from the Start [68] | USA | Commerce |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Content, Promotion & advertising, Consumer finances | Mobile Apps: Emerging Issues in Media and Communications (Occasional paper 1) [69] | Australia | Telecommunications |
Promotion & advertising, Consumer finances | App Purchases by Australian Consumers on Mobile and Handheld Devices: Inquiry Report [12] | Australia | Commerce |
Medical device efficacy & safety | Regulation of Medical Software and Mobile Medical ‘Apps’ [29] | Australia | Health |
Medical device efficacy & safety | Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) [70] | International | Health |
Medical device efficacy & safety | Mobile Medical Applications: Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff [28] | USA | Health |
Medical device efficacy & safety | General Wellness: Policy for Low Risk Devices [66] | USA | Health |
Medical device efficacy & safety | Guidance: Medical Device Stand-alone Software Including Apps (including IVDMDs) [19] | UK | Health |
INDUSTRY SELF-REGULATION | |||
Consumer privacy, Data security | Mobile and Privacy: Privacy Design Guidelines for Mobile Application Development [25] | International | Telecommunications |
Consumer Privacy, Data security, Content, Promotion & advertising, Consumer finances | App Store Review Guidelines [23] | International | Digital media |
Consumer Privacy, Data security, Content, Promotion & advertising, Consumer finances | Developer Policy Center [71] | USA | Digital media |
Promotion & advertising | Best Practice Guideline - Responsible Marketing Communications in the Digital Space [64] | Australia | Advertising |
Promotion & advertising | Application of Self-Regulatory Principles to the Mobile Environment [24] | USA | Advertising |
POST-MARKET CONSUMER GUIDANCE - GOVERNMENT | |||
Consumer privacy, Data security | Stay Smart Online: Mobile Devices [72] | Australia | Privacy |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Promotion & advertising, Consumer finances | A Guide to Apps & In-app Purchases [73] | Australia | Digital media |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Content, Promotion & advertising, Consumer finances, Medical device efficacy & safety | Safety and Quality Strategy in Mobile Health Apps [5] | Spain | Health |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Medical device efficacy & safety | New Zealand | Health | |
Consumer finances, Medical device efficacy & safety | Choose Wisely: Selecting Mobile Health Apps [76] | USA | Defence |
Medical device efficacy & safety | VicHealth’s Top 10 Tips for Choosing a Healthy Living App; Guidelines for Creating Healthy Living Apps [77] and related references [78,79,80,81,82,83] | Australia | Health |
POST-MARKET CONSUMER GUIDANCE - INDSUTRY | |||
Consumer privacy | Mobile App Advertising Guidelines: A Framework for Encouraging Innovation While Protecting User Privacy [47] and related references [49] | USA | Advertising |
Consumer privacy, Data security | TRUSTed Apps Privacy Certification [84] | USA | Privacy |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Consumer finances, Medical device efficacy & safety | myhealthapps.net [85] and related references [86, 87] | UK | Health |
Consumer privacy, Data security, Medical device efficacy & safety | Doctor’s Guide to Choosing Health Apps that Really Work [88] and related references [4] | USA | Health |
POST-MARKET CONSUMER GUIDANCE - OTHER | |||
Consumer privacy, Data security, Promotion & advertising, Medical device efficacy & safety | Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) [37] | Australia | Education |
Medical device efficacy & safety | PsyberGuide [89] | USA | Health |