Women issued safety warning over period tracker apps
The hidden danger of using period tracker apps
- Experts warn that period tracker apps pose privacy and safety risks to women, as personal information can be collected and sold.
- A report from the University of Cambridge highlights that menstrual data, including exercise, diet, and sexual preferences, is a 'gold mine' for consumer profiling and targeted advertising.
- The popularity of period tracking apps has surged, with over 250 million downloads for the top three apps, making cycle tracking apps a lucrative business due to the valuable user data they provide.
- Researchers caution that in the wrong hands, data collected by these apps could lead to health insurance discrimination, risks to job prospects, or even domestic abuse.
- The research team advocates for better governance of the 'femtech' industry, improved data security, meaningful consent options, and the development of public health alternatives to commercial tracking apps.