Mastodawn

Eric deRuiter Apr 7

Headway https://headway.co will soon be requiring identity verification through the Peter Thiel backed Persona—the company Discord was originally using.

Headway is for finding, booking, and paying therapists and psychiatrists. In light of the administration’s view of autism https://www.propublica.org/article/rfk-jr-autism-environment-research-funding and antidepressants https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/07/rfk-jr-wants-to-send-people-on-antidepressants-to-government-wellness-farms/ this is rather frightening.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Find Therapists Covered by Your Insurance | Headway

Find therapists near you who accept insurance. We'll help you find the right fit—and save you money. Get started today with online or in-person sessions.

Headway

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

Opting out is possible according to their policy which states "Inform each User in writing of the manner in which the User may opt out of the collection, processing, storage or usage of their Biometric Data"

https://headway.co/legal/biometric-data-policy

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Biometric Data Policy | Headway

Headway biometric data policy for the collection, use, safeguarding, storage, retention and destruction of biometric data.

Headway

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

However in talking to Headway support many times over the past few weeks to try to opt out they eventually told me I can opt out by not using Headway, which means there is not actually an opt out.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

There is a manual review alternative according to this page intended for providers which states "If you're having trouble with the process, Headway's support team can help. You can retry the verification, and if there are persistent issues, you can contact Headway support for a manual review."

https://help.headway.co/hc/en-us/articles/47487122190356-How-identity-verification-affects-your-clients

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

How identity verification affects your clients

Note: Identity verification for patients is currently rolling out to a limited group. If your clients haven't been asked to verify yet, they may be soon – especially if you are a prescriber on Head...

Headway

I have been asking for weeks to be allowed to do a manual review but Headway support is ignoring my request and just telling me that I can choose to opt out and stop being a headway customer.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

The barrier to stopping seeing your therapist and / or psychiatrist is high—much more than just changing to a Discord alternative. It seems it will take collective action from many people to force Headway to reverse this dangerous plan.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

You can talk to your provider and see if they are on any alternative platforms to Headway that you can switch to so you can keep seeing them.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

Age / ID verification primer https://this.weekinsecurity.com/papers-please-age-verification-laws-threaten-everyones-online-security-and-privacy/

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Papers, please: Age verification laws threaten everyone's online security and privacy

Laws that require adults to upload their driver's licenses or passports to access apps, websites, and VPNs will make the entire web less safe.

~this week in security~

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

Persona’s security history https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2026/02/age-verification-vendor-persona-left-frontend-exposed

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

[updated] Age verification vendor Persona left frontend exposed, researchers say

Behind a basic age check, researchers say Persona’s system runs extensive identity, watchlist, and adverse-media screening.

Malwarebytes

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

Persona’s privacy history https://cybernews.com/privacy/persona-leak-exposes-global-surveillance-capabilities/

https://vmfunc.re/blog/persona/

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

This will apply first to people seeing a provider who is prescribing them medicine, but “soon” will expand to everyone including the providers themselves.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

Persona’s policy is "The images obtained from government identification document and photos of your face that you upload, and data from scans of facial geometry extracted from the government identification document and photos of your face that…

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

…you upload, are collected, used and stored directly by Persona on behalf of Customer as Customer’s service provider through Customer’s website or app that you accessed."

https://withpersona.com/legal/privacy-policy/

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Processor Privacy Policy

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

Fortunately there is nothing to worry about as Headway support has told me “With the information we have gathered, I can assure you that your personal information will not be leaked, as Headway prioritizes data privacy and security in full compliance with HIPAA regulations.”

🙄

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

This guy should definitely be told who is on antidepressants. https://skipcut.com/watch/RsisHdJRjQE

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

RFK Jr: 'No memory' of saying 'every black kid' should be 're-parented' | SkipCut

Watch this video by The Hill without ads, only on SkipCut.com

SkipCut

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

For those of us who feel stuck between not wanting to leave our providers and not wanting to give up our privacy to Persona it would take collective action from many customers to force Headway to reverse this terrible decision.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter 3d ago

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5863973-kennedy-deprescribing-psychiatric-meds/

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

RFK Jr. unveils campaign for ‘deprescribing’ antidepressants

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday announced his new initiative boost “deprescribing” psychiatric medications, during a Make America Healthy Again…

The Hill

Eric deRuiter 1d ago

I have heard that providers are getting emails telling them that they have to verify their ID by the end of May.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter 1d ago

https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com/congress-wants-to-see-your-id-before-using-the-internet/

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Congress Wants to See Your ID Before Using the Internet

BJ talks with Jibran Ludwig, Policy Strategist at Fight for the Future about The Guard Act, which would basically age-gate the Internet.

Stupid Sexy Privacy

Eric deRuiter 1d ago

Headway is not forced to do Identity verification by any law or regulation such as HIPAA. They are doing it voluntarily.

They state "Headway is acting before a regulatory requirement or potential adverse event that might otherwise cause this process to be rushed."

Source: https://help.headway.co/hc/en-us/articles/43891496595220-Verifying-your-identity-as-a-Headway-client

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Verifying your identity as a Headway client

Note: Identity verification is rolling out to clients who see prescribers on Headway, in waves over the coming weeks. If you haven't been asked to verify yet, you'll receive a notification when it'...

Headway

Eric deRuiter 1d ago

Talk to your state representatives and governor. New bills could be written or existing bills could be strengthened to force companies like Headway to provide alternatives to online biometric scanning. Governors could write an executive order.

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter 1d ago

In NJ for example this bill would require consent, which is not enough as Headway is happy to lose customers who don’t want to give consent. If it is strengthened to require the option of a manual review with your provider or a Headway employee over teleconference, similar to showing your ID when you physically go to a doctor, that would be great.

https://trackbill.com/bill/new-jersey-assembly-bill-1419-prohibits-acquisition-or-disclosure-of-certain-personal-health-information-without-consent/2796330/

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

Eric deRuiter 1d ago

Illinois probably has the strongest law on the books.

https://legalclarity.org/illinois-biometric-privacy-act-key-provisions-and-updates/

#autism #privacy #identityverification #ageverification #mentalhealth #persona #IDverification #biometricdata

What Is the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act?

Illinois’ BIPA sets strict rules on how businesses collect and store biometric data, with real financial penalties for those who don’t comply.

LegalClarity

Jason Stuart Apr 23

@ridogi Because we're much safer than all those other companies that take your privacy seriously that got breached

Eric deRuiter Apr 23

@JSCybersec it had been *months* since a breach happened with this exact company. Ancient history!