Major Safety and Transparency Issues Found in Mobile AI Skin Apps

Why this matters

Smartphone apps that look at skin problems are becoming more common. Many people use them to learn about rashes, track moles, or get quick feedback between doctor visits. A recent review from the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) AI Task Force looked closely at these apps to see how well they work and how safe they are for everyday use. The findings may matter if you’re thinking about using an app for a skin concern. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)

What the researchers checked

The team searched the Apple App Store and Google Play Store across 44 European countries. In 2024 they found 1,746 dermatology apps and, after screening, included 420 in their review. Because AI tools are growing quickly, they did an updated search in 2026 focused on AI-based apps that screen for skin cancer. That update found 38 such apps available in Europe. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)

Who the apps are for and what they do

Most apps were made for regular people rather than health professionals. About 60% targeted patients or the general public, and 40% were intended for clinicians. Nearly all apps (94%) were free to download, and 61% were available on both major app stores.

The most common types of apps included:

• Teledermatology (virtual visits or remote consultations) — the largest single category
• General skin health education
• Disease-specific guides (for conditions like eczema or acne)
• Tools for measuring or tracking skin changes

There were 33 self-diagnosis apps in the group, and most of those used some form of AI (artificial intelligence). Overall, only about 12% of the 2024 apps reported using AI. Of the AI-enabled tools in that dataset, around 41% focused on skin cancer diagnosis. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)

Big gaps in clinical evidence and regulation

Even though there are many apps, the review found there’s not much strong, public evidence showing they work well in real life.

• Only 20% of apps were linked to at least one peer-reviewed paper listed in PubMed. Often these were brief mentions rather than full studies.
• Twenty-four apps had been looked at in clinical trials, but only five underwent randomized controlled trials, which are the most rigorous type.
• Just six apps had been evaluated after being released to real users.

Regulatory transparency was also limited. Only 2% of apps reported having a CE marking, which shows compliance with European medical device rules. Only 10% said they complied with the GDPR, Europe’s data protection law. For AI-based skin cancer screening apps, few reported the appropriate certifications for diagnostic tools. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026; Source: European Commission Medical Devices EUDAMED)

How well apps follow recommended AI safety and transparency steps

The EADV AI Task Force has a list of recommended practices for AI tools. The review found that apps often did not provide clear information about these important steps. The better-performing areas were:

• Cost transparency: 92% of AI apps disclosed download costs.
• Privacy: 87% provided some privacy information.

But other responsible-AI elements were much less commonly reported:

• User consent for commercial use of data: 37%
• Clinical validation (clear study results): 32%
• Dataset diversity, such as inclusion of different skin tones: 21%
• Evidence the app works similarly across different populations and camera devices: 13%
• Post-market monitoring (tracking how the app performs after release): 8%

Other recommended practices — like explaining how the algorithm works, designing for accessibility, avoiding exclusion of certain patient groups, and giving users a way to report errors — were included by fewer than one in five apps. About 42% of AI apps reported that dermatologists or other specialists were involved in development, but public information was sparse and many developers didn’t respond to requests for more documentation. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)

Concerns about skin tone and fairness

A major concern is that many dermatology AI tools were trained mostly on lighter skin tones. That can make the tools less accurate for people with darker skin. The review found little evidence that most developers had addressed this issue by including more diverse skin images in their training data or testing the app across different skin types. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)

What the reviewers recommend

The authors say these apps could help with education, teledermatology, and keeping track of things between visits. But they also say stronger checks are needed before apps are widely relied upon. Their main suggestions are:

• Follow the EADV AI Task Force guidance more closely.
• Do more clinical research and real-world testing to show apps actually help people.
• Be clearer about how the AI was built and how well it performs.
• Include more people with different skin tones in training and testing.
• Improve regulatory compliance so users and clinicians can trust the tools.

These steps would help make apps safer and more useful for everyone. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)

How this affects you

If you’re thinking about using a skin app, it’s okay to use one to learn more about skin health or to help track changes over time. But be cautious about relying on apps for a diagnosis. Many do not have strong scientific proof or clear regulation behind them.

Look for apps that share clear information about studies, privacy, and how they use your data. If an app claims it can diagnose skin cancer or other serious conditions, check whether it shows published validation or regulatory approval. If that information isn’t there, don’t treat the app’s output as a final medical answer. Talk with a doctor or dermatologist about any worrying findings. (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)

Tracking visible changes

Apps can be useful for documenting how a mole, rash, or spot changes over time. They may help you notice changes earlier and prepare for a dermatologist visit. Use them as a personal record, not as a replacement for professional advice.

When to see a doctor

If you notice any of the following, you should contact a healthcare professional promptly:

• A mole or spot that changes shape, color, size, or texture
• Bleeding, pain, or signs of infection (swelling, increasing redness, pus)
• Rapid growth or a new, unusual skin lesion
• Any skin concern that makes you worried or unsure

Discuss any app findings with your doctor rather than relying on the app alone. Only a clinician can give a medical diagnosis and recommend treatment.

Disclaimer

This article explains a research review and does not offer medical advice. If you have a skin concern, talk with a healthcare professional or dermatologist. For emergencies or serious symptoms, seek immediate medical care.

Sources

1. Sangers T, Shifai AN, Pasqualini DGJ, et al. Smartphone Applications in Dermatology With Special Focus on AI: A European-Continent-Based Review. Published online July 15, 2026. doi:10.1111/ijd.70582 (Source: EADV AI Task Force review, Sangers T, et al., 2026)
2. European Commission Medical Devices EUDAMED. Overview. European Commission Health and Food Safety. https://health.ec.europa.eu/medical-devices-eudamed/overview_en (Source: European Commission Medical Devices EUDAMED)