Headway Therapy Patients Forced to Scan Their Faces to Keep Getting Care
Recorded: May 29, 2026, 3:01 p.m.
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Headway Therapy Patients Forced to Scan Their Faces to Keep Getting Care
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Headway, a popular online therapy platform, says it will require clients and providers to undergo biometric scanning, and there’s no way to opt out other than leaving the platform.On April 3, Headway sent an email to clients informing them of the upcoming requirement: “To make sure Headway stays a safe and reliable place to get care, you'll soon be asked to verify your identity by taking a picture of a valid government-issued photo ID in your portal,” the email said, which a user shared with 404 Media. “As part of this process, you'll also be asked to take a clear photo of your face to confirm your identity. The facial image is never used for anything but identity verification.” The facial scan involves using your devices’ camera and moving your head from side to side. This post is for paid members only Sign up for free access to this post Already have an account? Sign in More like this New Study Reveals the Manipulative ‘Dark Patterns’ of AI Chatbots A new study by the Center for Democracy & Technology shows how chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, Replika and more can lead users down paths they didn't intend. Samantha Cole · May 29, 2026 Cities Are Covering Flock Cameras With Trash Bags Regretful cities aren't sure how to cancel their surveillance contracts, so they are literally covering their cameras. Jason Koebler · May 28, 2026 The Sun Is Undergoing a Mysterious Change and Nobody Knows Why Astronomers discovered that magnetic activity in the Sun is being squeezed into a more tightly confined area under its surface, which has implications for space weather forecasts and heliophysics. Becky Ferreira · May 28, 2026 Advertisement Go ad free Advertisement Go ad free • Hide Unparalleled access to hidden worlds both online and IRL. 404 Media is an independent media company founded by technology journalists Jason Koebler, Emanuel Maiberg, Samantha Cole, and Joseph Cox. About Twitter Join the newsletter to get the latest updates.
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A popular online therapy platform named Headway is implementing a requirement for both clients and providers to undergo biometric scanning as part of its operational protocols. This measure requires users to verify their identity through facial scanning to ensure the platform remains a safe and reliable environment for receiving care. Headway communicated this upcoming requirement to its clients, stating that they will soon be asked to verify their identity by taking a picture of a valid government-issued photo identification within the portal. Furthermore, the process involves asking users to take a clear photograph of their face to confirm their identity. The platform explicitly stated that the facial image is restricted solely to identity verification purposes and is not used for any other applications. The mechanism for this facial scan involves utilizing the devices' cameras and prompting the user to move their head from side to side. The text indicates that the only recourse for individuals who do not consent to this procedure is to leave the platform entirely. This development raises important considerations regarding data privacy, consent mechanisms, and the trade-offs between accessing necessary services and relinquishing biometric information for service continuity. |