Privacy Risks and Ethical Concerns

Researchers have raised alarms regarding the potential privacy risks associated with period tracking apps, emphasizing their impact on users’ reproductive autonomy. A recent study from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, published in the journal Contraception, highlights several ethical issues related to the algorithms employed in these applications.

• Users may face data breaches.
• Information provided can be limited or biased regarding reproductive health.

Authors Maria Carmen Punzi and Tamara Thuis stress the importance of ethical considerations in the development and implementation of these technologies, stating, “The influence of algorithms on users’ experience of their menstrual cycle and fertility is sometimes invisible but can still change behavior related to it.”

Data Protection Gaps

The research indicates significant gaps in data protection, revealing that some apps share sensitive information about users’ sexual activity, menstrual symptoms, and reproductive health with third parties, often without informed consent. Key findings include:

1. Users often lack clarity on how their data is utilized, stored, and shared.
2. Many algorithms are trained on limited datasets, failing to represent the diversity of menstrual experiences across various demographics.
3. This can lead to inaccurate predictions that disproportionately affect certain user groups, impacting contraceptive and health decisions.

Additional Insights from Cambridge Researchers

Researchers from the University of Cambridge’s Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy have also expressed concerns in their report titled ‘The High Stakes of Tracking Menstruation’. Authored by Dr. Stephanie Felsberger, the report states:

• Menstrual tracking apps convert personal health information into data points for collection, analysis, and sale.
• This data, if misused, could lead to broader harms, including intimate partner violence and discrimination in job prospects and health insurance.

Recommendations for Improvement

To address these issues, the report advocates for:

• The NHS and other public bodies to create their own cycle tracking apps to foster trust in FemTech.
• Stricter regulations on menstrual tracking data.
• Enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced governance of FemTech applications.

Industry Response

In response to these findings, Sue Khan, vice president of security and data protection at Flo Health, expressed concerns that such reports could make women feel unsafe regarding the privacy of period tracking applications. In a LinkedIn article, she stated:

“We have never – and will never monetize or sell user data. We do not see personal data as a commodity, and categorically reject the notion that women’s health data should be treated as a goldmine for advertising.”

Flo Health achieved unicorn status in July 2024, becoming the first consumer women’s health app to do so. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the FemTech app Luna emphasized their commitment to user privacy, stating:

“We built Luna to support teens through adolescence, and protecting their privacy is a fundamental part of that mission. We do not sell data and we do not share data with advertisers.”

As the conversation around privacy and reproductive health continues, it is crucial for users to remain informed about the implications of using period tracking apps and the importance of robust data protection measures.