Information Selling: Are Period Tracking Apps Safe Anymore?
Spoiler alert: it depends on which one you are using.
Having a period is already hell, but worrying about your data being shared with third parties to control your health information doesn’t need to be hell too. Today we want to share what we’ve learned about apps’ statements on data confidentiality and alternatives for tracking your period without the fear of losing ownership of your health details.
Let’s start by bringing some context to the matter. After Wade v. Roe was overturned, abortion became illegal in multiple states. Consequently, many period-tracking app users fear their data may be used as evidence of a crime. So we’ve been investigating users’ right to privacy. And this is not a hypothetical fear; it’s already happening! In one current case, social media contributed to the prosecution of a 17-year-old and her mother for discussing how to end a pregnancy via a messaging app. Read the whole article here.
Let’s start with “The first FDA-cleared birth control app”:
Natural Cycles.
Whether you want to prevent pregnancy, plan for it or just keep track of your fertility behavior, Natural Cycles is a paid app that identifies one’s fertile window by monitoring body temperature daily. Here’s an article if you want a better understanding of how it works.
To the point, do they sell users’ information? They say they don’t sell users’ information or share it with U.S. government agencies. On one of their FAQ pages, they state:
“Should I be concerned about my data being shared with government agencies?
At Natural Cycles, we will always do everything in our power to make sure that our users’ data is safe with us, no matter the circumstances. We remain focused on being a company committed to doing the right thing for our users. As U.S. users face potential legislation changes, we will be evolving our privacy policy to make sure all of our users – regardless of where they are located – are protected against to-date unimaginable potential legal situations.”
Clue App.
With over 12 million users, Clue is an app that helps people track their periods, ovulation and PMS. It offers “30+ different tracking options to find out how your cycle affects things like mood, skin, energy levels and much more.”
Clue also offers plenty of online resources about periods, fertility, birth control, pleasure, sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and more.
Do they sell users’ information? Clue’s Co-CEOs say they don’t sell users’ private health data or share it for anyone else’s use. Read their complete statement here.
“As the female Co-CEOs of Clue, we promise you that we will never turn your private health data over to any authority that could use it against you. Your personally identifiable health data regarding pregnancies, pregnancy loss or abortion, is kept private and safe. We don’t sell it, we don’t share it for anyone else’s use, we won’t disclose it. We are governed by the world’s strictest privacy laws (the European GDPR), and we invest a lot of time and expense in making sure we comply with them”
Spot On.
This period tracking and birth control app is powered by Planned Parenthood and helps track one’s cycle and various fertility implements, including pill, patch, ring, shot, IUD, or implant. It also includes resources made by Planned Parenthood.
This app promises not to make assumptions about gender, sexual orientation or reproductive goals and says it will never show ads. It also allows users to choose between creating an account or remaining anonymous.
To the point, do they sell users’ information? They say they don't sell or share users’ data with Planned Parenthood affiliate health care providers or other health providers, health plans or clearing houses.
“At Planned Parenthood, patient and user privacy and security is our top priority, and we’re happy to let you know that we never sell user data and have no plans to do so in the future.
The Spot On period tracker is a product of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). PPFA isn’t a health care provider, and we don’t share this data with Planned Parenthood affiliate health care providers. Additionally, Spot On doesn’t share data with other health providers, health plans, or clearing houses, so it’s not subject to HIPAA laws.”
Read the full article here.
Tracking your cycle manually.
If you’re feeling turned off of apps altogether, there’s good news—there are manual ways to track your period that don’t involve putting your data into any electronic devices. Grab a pen and some paper and learn the old-fashioned way!
What can we do now?
Make your voice heard, take to the streets and share how you feel about this. If anything is certain, it’s that YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS TO DEMAND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE. Check out our blog on How to find a Pro-Choice protest near you, where you’ll find advice on what to do when preparing to march, resources with interactive maps and contributive docs where you can connect to others and add your knowledge to the pool.
We envision a society where there’s no need to be afraid of being persecuted for controlling one’s own body, but circumstances aren’t always what we want them to be. We hope this information was useful for making a decision about the way you manage your reproductive health.
Let’s stay hopeful and informed.
