EADV Review Reveals Gaps in Safety, Privacy, and Validation for Dermatology Apps

A review of dermatology-related smartphone applications available across Europe found widespread access to digital tools but limited scientific validation, regulatory documentation, and transparency, particularly among applications incorporating artificial intelligence (AI).¹ The analysis by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) AI Task Force identified 420 eligible apps across 44 European countries and highlighted concerns regarding their reliability, safety, and inclusivity.²

Methodology

The investigators searched the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in January 2024, identifying 1746 potentially relevant apps. After screening, 1098 were excluded, primarily because they lacked dermatology-related content. A parallel PubMed search identified 1784 publications, with 204 ultimately included. An additional 31 apps were identified through the literature search. The final dataset included 420 apps, with 255 available through both platforms, 117 exclusively through iOS, and 48 exclusively through Android. The search for AI-based skin cancer detection apps was updated in May 2026.

Distribution, Categories, and Integration of AI

Overall, 60% of the apps were designed for laypersons, while the remainder targeted health care professionals. Most were available free of charge, with 94% having no download cost. Although 89% were available through the Apple App Store and 72% through Google Play, 61% were available on both platforms. The most common app categories were as follows:

• Teledermatology (54 apps)
• General dermatology knowledge (51 apps)
• Disease guides (47 apps)
• Calculators/measurement tools (37 apps)

AI was reported in 12% of the 420 apps. Among the AI-enabled applications identified in the 2024 search, 41% focused on skin cancer diagnosis. The updated 2026 search identified 38 AI-based skin cancer detection apps overall. However, only 2% of the 420 apps reported CE marking, while 10% indicated compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Evidence Deficits and Adherence to EADV Guidelines

Scientific evidence supporting the apps was also limited. Only 20% of the 420 applications were referenced in PubMed-indexed publications, and most were simply mentioned rather than formally evaluated. Approximately 24 apps had been studied in clinical trials, 5 in randomized controlled trials, and 6 in real-world post-deployment studies. Among the 17 additional AI-based skin cancer detection apps identified in the 2026 update, only 1 was linked to peer-reviewed evidence.

MORE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The investigators also assessed AI-based skin cancer detection apps against EADV AI Task Force recommendations. Among 38 apps evaluated using the updated dataset, publicly available information was frequently insufficient. Cost transparency was documented for 92% and data privacy for 87%, but only 32% disclosed the extent of clinical validation. Just 21% described inclusion of diverse skin tones in training data, 13% addressed comparable performance across different patient groups and devices, and 8% described post-clearance monitoring. Explainability, accessibility, avoidance of exclusion, and error-reporting mechanisms were each addressed by 18% or fewer of the apps.

Key Recommendations and Future Directions

The findings underscore several priorities for dermatology app development, including stronger clinical and real-world validation, transparency regarding AI training data and performance, protection of patient privacy, and representation of diverse skin tones. The authors noted that AI performance observed in controlled research settings may not translate directly to routine clinical practice. They also emphasized the need for prospective real-world studies to establish clinical validity and reliability.

Overall, the review suggests that dermatology apps have potential to support patients and clinicians but currently vary substantially in evidence, regulatory compliance, and transparency. The authors encouraged developers to follow EADV recommendations and involve dermatologists in development to strengthen the clinical robustness and safety of these increasingly accessible tools.

References

1. Sangers T, Shifai AN, Pasqualini DGJ, et al. Smartphone Applications in Dermatology With Special Focus on AI: A European-Continent-Based Review. Int J Dermatol. Published online July 15, 2026. doi:10.1111/ijd.70582

2. Sangers TE, Kittler H, Blum A, et al. Position statement of the EADV Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force on AI-assisted smartphone apps and web-based services for skin disease. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2024;38(1):22-30. doi:10.1111/jdv.19521