FTC to Apple: Turn your head and cough while we feel for balls-up with HealthKit privacy

US watchdog the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly scrutinizing Apple's health-monitoring software and hardware, dubbed HealthKit, for privacy problems.

The regulator has asked the iThing giant to come in and explain just how it planned to handle fans' private information, according to a Reuters report citing unnamed sources.

It's understood the FTC was particularly interested in hearing Apple's take on how it will protect gathered data from hackers, advertisers and other miscreants.

Whether this was more than a quick check, or whether the FTC was satisfied with Apple's answer, is unclear at this point. The watchdog declined to comment to Reuters on the report and was similarly unwilling to give any official comment to El Reg.

Apple unveiled HealthKit in June at its Worldwide Developer Conference: it's an API that app and gadget makers can use to tap into health data – such as heart rate and weight – collected from sensors in iThings and accessories.

HealthKit arrived in September with the release of iOS 8, though the launch of the interface was delayed by a technical glitches.

Use of HealthKit is expected to grow next year when Apple releases the Watch wristband and its collection of fitness tracking tools designed to work with various HealthKit apps. The Cupertino giant is said to have ordered enough parts to build 40 to 50 million smartwatches. ®