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FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

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Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#21

Post by bumbada »

Cd00d wrote: post #5

I'm curious if anyone has insight into the value of this kind of data. I work with alternative data for investors, mostly consumer spend behavior - things like point of sale transactions and online cart contents. These have value in that you can correlate panel behaviors with a company's revenue or identify trends in the market. But, for data like ovulation schedules or events like pregnancy, it seems that it's a lot…

The value is enormous because women's hormones depend basically on the menstrual cycle and the modifications of that with things like the pill.

People's behavior (women and men) depend a lot on hormones.

Big big data you can identify lots of useful patterns of behavior and you could control those.

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#22

Post by jschwartzi »

ogre_codes wrote: post #16
Cd00d wrote: post #5

I'm curious if anyone has insight into the value of this kind of data. I work with alternative data for investors, mostly consumer spend behavior - things like point of sale transactions and online cart contents. These have value in that you can correlate panel behaviors with a company's revenue or identify trends in the market. But, for data like ovulation schedules or events like pregnancy, it seems that it's a lot…

> I don't get why companies would pay for this sort of data. Knowing when someone is pregnant or trying to get pregnant seem like premium moments. Lots of money in fertility treatments and related services. Lots more money in maternity products and new baby products.

Yeah you can definitely sell anything to a couple who is trying to get pregnant, especially if you know they've been trying for a few months without success.

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#23

Post by ogre_codes »

jschwartzi wrote: post #22
ogre_codes wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I don't get why companies would pay for this sort of data. Knowing when someone is pregnant or trying to get pregnant seem like premium moments. Lots of money in fertility treatments and related services. Lots more money in maternity products and new baby products.

Yeah you can definitely sell anything to a couple who is trying to get pregnant, especially if you know they've been trying for a few months without success.

I'm sure you can successfully sell anything from coffee to yoga classes that helps with fertility. Just takes the right pitch and the right mark.

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#24

Post by Darkphibre »

MarkSweep wrote: post #3

If anyone is looking for an alternative to Flo, as of iOS 13 the built-in Health app has similar functionality: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210407

Open inquiry: Anything out there recommended for Android or PC?

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#25

Post by kevin_thibedeau »

philsnow wrote: post #17
ndiscussion wrote: post #4

To quote a dead comment: "Am I missing something, or are they really being let off with less than a slap on the wrist, and no fines? Not really sending a great message here, FTC." Agreed. This is one of the most egregious abuses of privacy imagineable.

> This is one of the most egregious abuses of privacy imagineable. For people who haven't used these kinds of apps, Flo includes day-by-day tracking of: - sex and sex drive - didn't have sex - protected sex - unprotected sex - high sex drive - masturbation - mood: - calm - happy - [...] - sad - depressed - obsessive thoughts - apathetic - very self-critical - symptoms (cramps, tender breasts, acne, many more) - vagin…

It's worth pointing out that traditional data brokers are able to track menstrual cycles based on purchase activity. Nobody can opt out of this and it's been going on for a few decades. It can be used for ad targeting by presenting the target with the optimal content for each week.

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#26

Post by erichurkman »

joshspankit wrote: post #13
ascagnel_ wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a lot of value in knowing about a pregnancy -- in the months leading up to a baby, you're spending a ton of money getting ready for the baby or on constantly buying new clothes for mom as the pregnancy moves along. Once the baby comes, you have a good chance for capturing a repeat customer on a bunch of baby-related items (diapers, wipes, etc).

Also, if you’ve ever known someone who’s a new parent; the sheer volume of “welcome packages”, pamphlets, flyers, coupons, and free samples is staggering and clearly indicates (to me at least) that the customer value is uncommonly high.

If you sell cribs, you likely only have 1 - 2 chances per couple's entire lives to sell a crib. Saturation and timing of ads are paramount.

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#27

Post by mtlynch »

MarkSweep wrote: post #3

If anyone is looking for an alternative to Flo, as of iOS 13 the built-in Health app has similar functionality: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210407

I know of another one called POW! made by indie developer Benedicte Raae:

https://www.usepow.app/

The data is all client-side encrypted, so she doesn't collect any sensitive user data that could be sold or abused.

I've never used it, but I think the privacy-first mission is cool.

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#28

Post by digitalengineer »

Cd00d wrote: post #5

I'm curious if anyone has insight into the value of this kind of data. I work with alternative data for investors, mostly consumer spend behavior - things like point of sale transactions and online cart contents. These have value in that you can correlate panel behaviors with a company's revenue or identify trends in the market. But, for data like ovulation schedules or events like pregnancy, it seems that it's a lot…

It is not because you are pregnant or because there is a baby on the way. It is because, during this time in a woman’s life she is very open for changes in her daily routines. Everything is interesting: from breakfast brands to shampoo brands, type and brand of car, even housing.

Re: FTC Settlement with Fertility-Tracking App for Facebook/Google SDK Data Sharing

#29

Post by koolk3ychain »

philsnow wrote: post #17
ndiscussion wrote: post #4

To quote a dead comment: "Am I missing something, or are they really being let off with less than a slap on the wrist, and no fines? Not really sending a great message here, FTC." Agreed. This is one of the most egregious abuses of privacy imagineable.

> This is one of the most egregious abuses of privacy imagineable. For people who haven't used these kinds of apps, Flo includes day-by-day tracking of: - sex and sex drive - didn't have sex - protected sex - unprotected sex - high sex drive - masturbation - mood: - calm - happy - [...] - sad - depressed - obsessive thoughts - apathetic - very self-critical - symptoms (cramps, tender breasts, acne, many more) - vagin…

This is freaky, with this data and a rough identity (ads wise) you could literally AB test what ads / suggestive content affects someone's mood and relationship. How bone headed do you have to be to actually ask "what could someone do with this info, seems innocuous to me"?
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