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

ftc.gov

51–60 of 78 posts

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

#51
post #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.

No encryption, no backups, no on-device analysis (stats, charts), inconvenient to use: Not secure, not an app, not a good alternative.

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

#52
post #40

So, what's the correct recipe here? Anonimyze your events before sending to third party analytics? Like event5, mood12?

Maybe there are some things where you just shouldn't use 3rd party analytics, if any.

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

#53
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

No encryption, no backups, no on-device analysis (stats, charts), inconvenient to use: Not secure, not an app, not a good alternative.

>not an app

That foible stands out as humorous. Why does a solution to a problem need to be a smart phone app? lol

Otherwise excellent points.

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

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No encryption, no backups, no on-device analysis (stats, charts), inconvenient to use: Not secure, not an app, not a good alternative.

>not an app That foible stands out as humorous. Why does a solution to a problem need to be a smart phone app? lol Otherwise excellent points.

I was specifically responding to:

> There is a secure app called garbage bin

hence calling out that it isn't.

(But sure, I actually am fine with non-app solutions when they're actually good)

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

#55
post #40

So, what's the correct recipe here? Anonimyze your events before sending to third party analytics? Like event5, mood12?

Maybe there are some things where you just shouldn't use 3rd party analytics, if any.

This, especially considering that most research has shown that it's trivally easy to take anonymized data and de-anonymize it.

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

#56

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?

I would recommend Drip, which is available on F-Droid. FOSS with very minimal permissions. I'd suggest checking it for trackers with ClassyShark (also on FD).

https://f-droid.org/packages/com.drip

Screenshots feature a modern looking UI.

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

#57

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.

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

You run a 28 day autocorrelation and see what pops out. Start with the obvious purchases then artificially synchronize the purchase history of a group of women to be on the same phase and run another autocorrelation on their aggregate purchases to get the non-obvious signal.

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

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

I would imagine women who are buying menstrual products are very likely either about to begin their period or are in the midst of it. Also, things like midol are probably strong indicators.

Hmm, I'm not sure–all the women I know buy massive packs from Costco because it's something that they might as well buy in bulk and save money on. I didn't think of medicine, though–you're probably right about that.

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

#59

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?

Anything on f-droid is going to be good. Last time this story came up I saw a comment saying there was two prominent apps there.

It's scary how many people don't immediately go for the open source alternative before checking the Google play store. Most people publishing on f-droid use their real name, have verifiable open source activity, have a professional reputation to maintain and have their apps open to world to be scrutinised.

Checking F-Droid should be your first choice everytime.

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

#60

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?

I recommend fertility friend, from their privacy policy

“ FertilityFriend.com is fully funded by its VIP service fees and has been so since we started. It does not rely on any type of data trading for any of its funding or any other purpose. In other words, you are not the product. Clear and straightforward, our charting service is what we sell and nothing else.”

They also have a more data driven approach to fertility than most other sources.

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