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Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

cam.ac.uk

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Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#51

Post by leereeves »

NoTranslationL wrote: post #23

If anyone is interested in a privacy focused tracking app that stores all your data locally, I make an app called Reflect [0] whose sole purpose is this, plus on-device analysis. We’re working on a menstrual tracking feature right now and it’s pretty far along. We’ve just released an anomaly detection feature as well. [0] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reflect-track-anything/id64638...

That sounds like a good idea with one obvious challenge: how can you prove that data will remain private forever?

Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#52

Post by NoTranslationL »

OJFord wrote: post #43
NoTranslationL wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I make one! It’s called Reflect. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reflect-track-anything/id64638...

Seems too nerdy for the market at large - the correlation etc. features might well be as good as or better than what the likes of Flo provide, but people will have a harder time understanding that than simply 'your next date is expected to be x', 'your cycle is typically x days', etc.

We definitely cater to a niche that wants to know the nitty gritty details. We’re trying to layer the app such that you get the TLDR first if you want, and can zoom into the details of why second

Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#54

Post by bArray »

Combine this with the Meta Pixel illegal localhost tracking that bypasses privacy measures [1] [2] and the privacy leaking could be off the scale.

I think this goes for all things - medical data such as heart rate, blood sugar, steps, weight, VO2 max, etc, could all be seriously misused.

Personally I try to use apps that are not cloud-based, or make my own, but this isn't an option for everybody.

[1] https://www.zeropartydata.es/p/localhost-tracking-explained-...

[2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44235467

Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#55

Post by RajT88 »

mensetmanusman wrote: post #37
brookst wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Miscarriages are also being criminalized in the US.

Which section code?

Miscarriages are spontaneous abortions. The anti-abortion laws are being used against women who have miscarriages.

Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#56

Post by ubermonkey »

In the current climate, no one should use a menstrual tracking app of any kind, even those with on-device-only data. Asking normal people to figure out the risk profile of that data, and to evaluate the trustworthiness of a given app, is just too much.

Use a paper calendar.

Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#58

Post by olalonde »

mapotofu wrote: post #16
colanderman wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe you are completely unaware, but many US states have criminalized abortion. Pregnancies and abortions are detectable from menstrual data.

With this in mind, why do the users trust these companies in supplying that data? I’m asking this is earnest.

The obvious answer is that it's not an actual issue.

Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#59

Post by watwut »

mensetmanusman wrote: post #37
brookst wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Miscarriages are also being criminalized in the US.

Which section code?

When miscarriage happens, you will be hit with non-miscarriage section and unable to prove it was miscarriage. Or, you will prove it only after your life was significantly altered and you had to spend a lot of money.

Like common. This literally happens in conservative states. And women are also literally dying or suffering there for preventable medical issues, because doctors are afraid to abort even when they know it is necessary and pregnancy is not viable.

Re: Menstrual tracking app data is gold mine for advertisers that risks women safety

#60

Post by Ylpertnodi »

NoTranslationL wrote: post #23

If anyone is interested in a privacy focused tracking app that stores all your data locally, I make an app called Reflect [0] whose sole purpose is this, plus on-device analysis. We’re working on a menstrual tracking feature right now and it’s pretty far along. We’ve just released an anomaly detection feature as well. [0] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reflect-track-anything/id64638...

For people living in the US of Freedom, wouldn't it be good think to 'keep putting in' cycles, despite pregnancy? Should anything untoward happen later, a quick flash o' the app and "Nope, Officer, no siree. Like clockwork, me...".
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