As period tracker apps gain popularity, experts reveal the unsettling privacy risks women face.
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As the popularity of period tracker apps skyrockets, a critical warning emerges. Experts are sounding the alarm about the significant privacy and safety risks faced by women using these applications. With over 250 million downloads globally, the implications of tracking menstrual cycles extend beyond convenience—they raise serious ethical and security concerns.
The risks of personal data exposure
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have pointed out that the personal data collected through these apps can be exploited and sold. Information related to exercise, diet, sexual preferences, and even hormone levels is at stake.
The Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy highlights how this data becomes a “gold mine” for companies looking to profile consumers. The authors of the report emphasize, “Data on who is pregnant, and who wants to be, has therefore emerged as some of the most sought-after information in digital advertising.”
How data commodification affects women
As women often turn to these apps while trying to conceive, their shopping behaviors shift dramatically. The report illustrates the lucrative nature of cycle tracking apps (CTAs), which not only provide invaluable user insights but also create a dangerous web of data-sharing with third parties. Experts warn that this commodification of personal data can lead to discrimination in health insurance and jeopardize job prospects, putting users at risk of domestic abuse.
The call for better governance
In response to these alarming findings, researchers are calling for stricter regulations in the femtech industry. They urge for improved data security measures and the introduction of “meaningful consent options” for users. “Menstrual cycle tracking apps are presented as empowering women and addressing the gender health gap,” says Dr. Stefanie Felsberger, lead author of the report. “Yet the business model behind their services rests on selling user data for profit.”
A future with safer alternatives?
Professor Gina Neff, executive director at Cambridge’s Minderoo Centre, adds, “Women deserve better than to have their menstrual tracking data treated as consumer data.” The need for public health bodies to develop alternatives to commercial tracking apps is undeniable. As the use of cycle tracking apps reaches new heights, the conversation around privacy and data security must evolve.
A pressing concern for all users
In an age where personal data is frequently exploited, the implications for women using period tracker apps are profound. The commodification of intimate information presents real and frightening privacy risks. As experts continue to analyze the situation, one question remains: How can users protect themselves in a landscape where their data is at stake? The urgency for a solution is palpable, and the stakes could not be higher.
