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

ftc.gov

31–40 of 78 posts

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

#31

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

There is a secure app called garbage bin: Open the lid, firmly grasp your iPhone, place it over the bin, open your hand and drop it.

Use pen and paper and the problem is solved.

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

#32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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"?

Perhaps they didn’t think it was innocuous at all?

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

#33
post #8

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.

You can revive a dead comment if you feel it was unjustly killed. Just click the timestamp then click "vouch".

Thanks for this, I've heard of this option but assumed it was unavailable to my account.

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

#34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

I did not hear about that one. It does sound interesting. Is there some sort of of study discussing it you could link?

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

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I did not hear about that one. It does sound interesting. Is there some sort of of study discussing it you could link?

For me the canonical example is this story in Forbes about a man who complained to Target about baby-product advertising directed at his teenage daughter.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-targ...

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

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

How does this work? Is it that women change their general purchase habits around that time, or that they buy specific products?

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

#37
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can revive a dead comment if you feel it was unjustly killed. Just click the timestamp then click "vouch".

Thanks for this, I've heard of this option but assumed it was unavailable to my account.

It's available to everyone with a fairly reasonable amount of karma (30, I think?)

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

#38

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?

For Android, there's Clue : https://helloclue.com/
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