Facebook is reportedly planning its first experiments with health care apps, including creating "support communities" for people with the same illnesses.
The news comes after Facebook announced its new advertising network, which could potentially mean the company will know many more details about users' personal lives.
According to the reports, the company has been meeting with experts in the medical industry and entrepreneurs, and has begun setting up a research and development unit to test new health-related apps. It is reportedly still in the idea-gathering stage.
This is not the first time the social media company has stepped into health. In 2012, the company allowed members to specify if they were an organ donor on their profile. During that day alone, 13,054 people registered to be organ donors in the U.S., which is 21 times more than the daily average of 616.
Facebook also began noticing users with illnesses were searching for advice on the social network.
Even Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been stepping up his involvement in health on a personal level. Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, a pediatric resident at University of California San Francisco, have donated $5 million to a health center in Palo Alto, Calif.
The company is also working on "preventative care" applications, which could mean that they will release software to help people improve their overall lifestyles.
While Facebook has dabbled in health care before, the company has reportedly put off making a big splash in the market in favor of other projects.
A report suggested that Facebook would release its first health care app "quietly and under a different name." Releasing software under a different name is also likely due to the privacy concerns that are raised whenever Facebook releases new software or features on its social media network.
Over the years, Facebook has been heavily criticized for its hazy privacy policies. In recent times, however, the company has bolstered its privacy policy. The fact that the company is more concerned over user privacy could help bolster its health care plans.
"I could see Facebook doing well with applications for lifestyle and wellness, but really sick patients with conditions like cancer aren't fooling around," said Frank Williams, CEO of Evolent Health.
