Is Real Age Really Deceptive?

“Let he who is without [ever seeing an episode of Oprah, even lingering on it for a couple minutes] … be the first to cast a [virtual] stone [through your computer screen]”… Or so the quote goes somewhere along those lines…. I’m assuming no one will be throwing stones. Oprah’s approval on anything automatically puts it on some kind of best seller’s list and/or attracts droves of loyal fans… I wonder if people think because something is “Oprah approved” it’s automatically trustworthy?

Now, what does Oprah have to do with my topic? Well, Oprah made this test and its creator famous, continually endorses it, and has had it’s creator Dr. Mehmet Oz on her show repeatedly. The online test I’m talking about is the Real Age Test. For those of you who are not familiar with Real Age, let me give you a quick overview of what it is and what it does. Real Age is a compilation of health and lifestyle questions that are presented to the user in a quiz format. The user is asked to reveal in-depth and personal questions about themselves so the system can determine the user’s “actual” age. This assessment’s mission is to help you “change your life” so you can be “who…and where you want to be”. Once your assessment is completed you are asked if you would like to become a member for free in order to receive emails and have access to the sites multitude of health plans, buddy system, meal plans, and health and wellness recommendations. ALL FOR FREE! (It reminds you in large letters) And they promise the user their information is kept private! Sound too good to be true? Well, that’s because it is .

The Online Age Quiz Is A Window For Drug Makers article on NyTimes online shed some real light on the Real Age Test. The article discovered that Real Age packages its test results, and categorizes them into sought after market segments and sells the information to pharmaceutical companies. “How”, you say? Don’t they guarantee they won’t sell your information? Sure. They won’t sell your information if you don’t become a member. “Now wait a minute”, you say, “Why does that make a difference? How can they do that?” Simple and legally, Real Age test execs say. Even though Real Age sells your information to the pharmaceutical companies, they are not doing anything illegal or what is considered in breach of privacy laws. They aren’t selling your name or contact information, merely your test answers. What then happens is the pharmaceutical companies send Real Age e-mails that are sent out through the Real Age network to members that fit their interested demographic, AND that’s how they get you! Although they never get your contact information or contact you directly, they advertise and send you suggestions of pharmaceutical products they deduced (for your test answers) would help improve your “Real Age” and get you down to being under your current age. All in the name of health they say!

I feel this is an extremely deceptive thing to do. I went on the website myself and snooped around, and there isn’t much you can do [that will give you step by step help] without becoming a member. And when prompted to become a member there is no mention made that your info will be sold and that you’ll be bombarded by e mails diagnosing you before you’ve even set foot in a doctor’s office! These practices seem [although legal, if you read the article] quite unethical to me!

Questions To Consider:

1) Would you mind giving your information to a company that sells it to a third party if it ultimately sent you e mails that could potentially benefit your health?

2) Do you think Real Age is being deceptive?