Are Period Tracking Apps Compelling Women To Share Risky Information?

Female health monitoring apps, commonly used by women to track menstrual cycles and assist with conception, are under scrutiny for coercing users into sharing sensitive information and managing this data poorly. Recent research has highlighted the risks associated with these practices, raising significant concerns about user privacy and safety.

Research Findings: A Deep Dive into Privacy Policies

A study conducted by King's College London and University College London examined the privacy policies and data safety labels of 20 popular period tracking apps available on Google Play stores in the US and UK. The research revealed several alarming data-management practices. Notably, some apps lack a delete function for highly personal information, including menstrual cycles and miscarriages, which poses significant privacy risks.

The authors of the study describe it as the most comprehensive evaluation of its kind. With hundreds of millions of users relying on these apps, the potential for privacy breaches is substantial. Despite reaching out, the BBC received no responses from app providers regarding these findings.

The Importance of Privacy in Female Health Apps

Dr Ruba Abu-Salma, the study's lead author, emphasized the vital role of female health apps in managing women’s health globally. However, she pointed out that their benefits are being compromised by serious privacy and safety issues. Mismanagement or leakage of reproductive health data could lead to severe consequences, including blackmail, discrimination, and even violence.

The US Context: Post-Roe v. Wade Concerns

The issue of reproductive health data is especially sensitive in the US, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which removed the constitutional right to an abortion. Privacy experts warn that data from menstrual tracking apps could potentially be used to prosecute individuals seeking to terminate pregnancies.

The study highlighted that intimate data stored by these apps often includes details about sexual activity, contraception, and menstrual cycles, with some apps also collecting information about abortions or miscarriages. Alarmingly, many apps do not adequately protect this sensitive data from access by law enforcement or security authorities.

Key Findings: Discrepancies and Contradictions

The study uncovered several key findings that underscore the problematic handling of sensitive data by these apps:

• 35% of the apps claimed not to share personal data with third parties, yet contradicted this in their privacy policies.
• 50% assured users that health data would not be shared with advertisers but were ambiguous about other data collected.
• 45% of privacy policies denied responsibility for third-party practices, despite claims of vetting these partners.

The Booming Market and Its Responsibilities

The female-focused technology market has seen rapid growth, with projections suggesting it will exceed $75 billion by 2025. Despite this growth, the industry must improve its practices to protect the sensitive data of its users.

Lisa Malki, another author of the study, criticized app developers for treating period and fertility data as just another data point, rather than acknowledging its unique sensitivity. She stressed the need for developers to recognize the specific privacy and safety risks associated with this data and to adopt a more humanistic and safety-conscious approach to developing health technologies.

Moving Forward: A Call for Better Practices

The research underscores the urgent need for better data management practices in female health apps. As these technologies continue to grow in popularity, ensuring the privacy and safety of users must become a top priority for developers. This includes clear and transparent privacy policies, robust data protection measures, and a commitment to safeguarding users against potential legal and social threats. 

By addressing these issues, the industry can better serve the millions of women who rely on these apps for managing their health, ensuring that the benefits of such technology are not overshadowed by preventable risks.