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Report: Apple HealthKit Bug Delays App Releases

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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Apple's new HealthKit service has reportedly contracted a bug, and has been relegated to bed rest until further notice.

Early iOS 8 adopters hoping to dive into the new health-tracking platform will have to wait another week or two before counting steps taken and calories burned.

Third-party apps like MyFitnessPal and Carrot Fit have also been sidelined, according to Reuters, which said the apps have been temporarily removed from the iTunes App Store "to address some minor issues."

Alongside the standalone Health app, HealthKit taps into services like Nike and WebMD, as well as health providers, including Epic Systems and the Mayo Clinic, so patients can better share information with their doctors.

Apple's iOS 8 went live on Wednesday, with the Health app. Apple did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment, but a spokesman told Reuters that it was looking to make third-party HealthKit apps available by month's end.

Ahead of this week's launch, Apple updated its iOS licensing agreement to say that developers cannot "sell an end-user's health information collected through the HealthKit API to advertising platforms, data brokers or information resellers."

They can, however, share data with third parties "for medical research purposes," but only if they get a user's permission.

Connecticut's attorney general, however, remains dubious about how Cupertino intends to collect personal health information and what kind of data its stores—specifically related to the upcoming Apple Watch.

AG George Jepsen requested a meeting with the tech giant to discuss his concerns, saying in a letter to CEO Tim Cook that "I applaud the use of technology to encourage and facilitate personal health," but "questions remain concerning how privacy protections will be implemented and enforced."

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

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