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An AI App Claiming To Detect STIs From Photos Of Genitals Is A Privacy ‘Disaster’

Mar 28, 2024 - forbes.com
The founders of HeHealth, Mei Ling Lu and Yudara Kularathne, have launched a platform called Calmara that uses AI to analyze images of male genitalia for sexually transmitted infections. The platform, marketed as a sexual wellness tool for women, claims to identify over 10 diseases, including herpes, syphilis, and HPV, with up to 96% accuracy in 60 seconds. However, Calmara has faced criticism over issues of consent, data privacy, and the potential for child sexual abuse material to end up on its servers.

In response to the backlash, the founders have changed their data retention policy so that images are automatically deleted from Calmara after being screened. Despite this, concerns remain about the platform's handling of sensitive images and its compliance with data privacy laws. The company's claims of partnerships with several universities were also found to be false. The founders have been updating their products and are reportedly in talks with a dating site about a potential partnership.

Key takeaways:

  • HeHealth, a San Francisco-based healthcare startup, has launched a platform called Calmara that uses AI to analyze images of male genitalia for the presence of sexually transmitted infections.
  • The platform has been criticized for issues related to consent, data privacy, and the potential for child sexual abuse material to end up on its servers.
  • Despite these concerns, HeHealth has raised $1.1 million in funding and claims its AI can identify the presence of more than 10 diseases with an accuracy of up to 96%.
  • HeHealth's founders have been updating their products in response to criticism and are reportedly in talks with a dating site about a potential partnership.
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