A content analysis and ethical review of mobile applications for depression: exploring the app marketplace

Research investigating commercial mobile applications for depression have shown a range of concerns from limited research evidence, poor treatment fidelity, and issues with privacy and data security. This study advances this work through a content analysis and ethical review of app store listings of apps for depression. Whilst past content analyses and app reviews have highlighted some ethical and safety concerns, there has been no focussed ethical review to consider how these issues may present to potential users who seek to find help and support through the app stores.