IEEE Launches Global Registry of Verified Medical Mobile Apps

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has introduced a public registry of medical mobile apps that have passed independent expert review. The project aims to address the lack of unified standards for evaluating therapeutic apps marketed as tools for diagnosis, treatment, or clinical decision support.

The registry assesses apps across three key dimensions: clinical efficacy, technical reliability, and ethical development. The evaluation process considers over 150 criteria, including data protection, risk management, AI transparency, and compliance with regional safety regulations. Experts from 10 countries—including physicians, developers, and cybersecurity specialists—developed the assessment methodology to eliminate commercial bias.

Special focus is placed on mental health apps, one of the most saturated yet least regulated categories. Many companies mislead users by claiming certification for all their products, when only one app may have been verified. IEEE aims to close this gap by offering developers a voluntary evaluation process and a certification badge that can be displayed in app stores and marketing materials.

The verification process takes 6–8 weeks and includes documentation review, testing, and developer feedback. Apps scoring over 85% in each category receive a unique identifier and certification badge. The registry will be free for users and assist insurers in assessing reimbursement potential for digital therapeutic solutions.

Currently, the registry is in the active evaluation phase for initial applications. Results are expected to be published following the completion of primary reviews. The project is supported by the IEEE P3962 standard, which lays the foundation for global harmonization of medical app requirements.