The marketers of an app designed to measure blood pressure have been ordered to pay nearly $600,000 following a federal investigation that found they deceived consumers.
Aura Labs, doing business as AuraLife and AuraWare, have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission for duping customers with claims that their Instant Blood Pressure (IBP) app was as accurate as a traditional blood pressure cuff.
Aura and Archdeacon claimed that it could be used to replace around-the-arm cuffs and would be just as accurate as the traditional device, the FTC charged.
“For someone with high blood pressure who relies on accurate readings, this deception can actually be hazardous,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “While the Commission encourages the development of new technologies, health-related claims should not go beyond the scientific evidence available to support them.”
Aura and its founder, Ryan Archdeacon, are barred from making unsupported claims in the future.
According to the FTC’s complaint, Aura sold the IBP app through Google Play and Apple’s App Store for between $3.99 and $4.99.
Sales of the app totaled more than $600,000, according to the FTC, however, blood pressure readings reported by the IBP app were significantly less accurate than those taken with a traditional blood pressure cuff.
To use the IBP app, users put their right index finger over the phone’s rear camera lens and held the base of the phone over their heart.
The federal court order prohibits Aura from making any claims about the health benefits of any product without scientific evidence.
It also imposes $595,945.27 judgment, which is suspended based on the defendants’ inability to pay.
