WeightWatchers made an app for 8-year-olds to track their calories. Eating disorder specialists said it was dangerous. The FTC ordered WeightWatchers to delete all data AND the algorithms trained on children's body data. Not just the data — the AI models built from children's weight and food logs. A diet company collected body image data from children and the government made them burn it.
What they claim: WeightWatchers describes health data collection for personalised wellness coaching
What we found: WeightWatchers' Kurbo app (marketed to children aged 8-17 for weight management) was criticised by eating disorder specialists for encouraging caloric restriction tracking in children. The app collected children's weight, food intake, and body image data. In 2022, the FTC required WeightWatchers to delete all data and algorithms derived from the Kurbo app for violating COPPA.