If you're the kind of person who tracks your time period, fitness, sleep, or other health indicators in the app, a privacy expert will warn you: yours Data can be a gold mine for advertisers, hackers, or law enforcement agencies.
Since the US Supreme Court leaked a draft ruling on the Law vs. Wade case in early May, American women have called on social media to remove the menstrual tracking app from their mobile phones.
Currently, at least eight states have bannedabortions, so, using app user's menstrual cycle data and other information , is no longer legal. Abortion at.
"Unfortunately, we need to instruct people to remove the [app]," says Danielle Citron, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Her concern is that data from physiological trackers and other sources could help build cases of illegal abortions in women.
"You got your period on the Xth day and missed your period. For example, you get your period again after 20 weeks and during that period your place indicates that you went to menstruation. Let's say you have an in-state or out-of-state clinic — in so many ways, it's the circumstantial evidence that prosecutors need, "said Citron.
Watch | Why some women consider removing the time tracking app: According to Danielle Citron, a law professor at the University of Virginia Law School, health data collected by the smartphone app could be used to sue U.S. women for illegal misconduct. I have.
Digital privacy experts say the concern about menstruation tracking apps is how Canadians can record their sensitive health data online It should also be a call for awakening.
"Simply don't trust what companies do with data," said Ann Cavoukian, a former Ontario Privacy Commissioner and founder of the International Council on Global Privacy and Security by Design. Says.
"They may argue that they protect your privacy, don't store your digital data, and don't share it with anyone, but over and over again, they're wrong. I've seen it proved. They often share it with third parties who aren't allowed in ways you don't agree. "
Tracking and sharing
Apple's App Store and Google Play have thousands of time-based tracking applications, each with its own privacy policy detailing how users store and share their information.
The more sophisticated appgoes beyond the details of the menstrual cycle a huge amount of dataAnd save it. Create a user profile. From the name, location, whether you're trying to get pregnant, to details about sex life, exercise, medications you're taking, and more, it's a treasure trove for advertisers.
"How much did you pay when you downloaded the app? How much is your monthly subscription fee? If the answer is zero, if you haven't paid for the product, you're the product." Said Ritek Kotak, a cybersecurity and technology analyst in Toronto.
For some time, apps explicitly notify users that their data can be shared with third-party advertisers, affiliates, business partners, and even other app users — , These details are often embedded in theprivacy policy
Since the Supreme Court ruling, some of the larger app companies have said about data protection measures. We have endeavored to reassure our users.
Flo has started anonymous mode, eliminating the need for users to share names and email addresses, and Clue has sent personal health data toto "any institution". I will not hand it over to you. " It can use it against you.
However, if a company receives a warrant or subpoena in the United States, the data must be handed over to law enforcement agencies, Citron says — and the same. It also applies to Canada.
"[Police] can request a warrant, if any. As an organization, you are obliged to provide data to the police. "Mr. Kabukian said. 'You may monetize that information through data, yet targeted advertising that reaches specific users.
"There are word games about what can and cannot be sold," said medical anthropologist Andrea Ford and a researcher at the University of Edinburgh who is extensively researching period tracking apps.
"[Company] still has your profile as an internet user and is interested in where you are going, what you are doing, what you are doing — For example, if you are pregnant and need baby products, you can collect data on these channels without having to sell your personal information. ”
Anyone can use a period tracker If you're ready to deprecate, keep in mind that removing an app doesn't necessarily remove all your data. ir server: Some appsrequire a written deletion request. It may take several weeks for the request to be completed.
Big Data Trajectory
Technology experts shouldn't focus too much on menstrual trackers when many other apps also monetize personal health data in different ways. I am paying attention to.
There are many other digital footprints that can reveal more information about an individual's activities, such as web search results, text messages, and email receipts. Cynthia Conticook, a civil rights lawyer and digital evidence researcher, has all been used to criminalize those seeking abortion in the United States,told the New York Times. 92}
Google visits theabortion clinic because location data from women's smartphones may be used for womenWe have announced that 105} and many other destinations will be automatically removed from theuser's location history.
The changes will apply globally, including in Canada, a Google spokeswoman told CBC News.
Kotakku warned that personal data could be a "very valuable product" for hackers. He suggests using an email address that doesn't include your full name when signing up for the app and minimizing your personal information.
Canadians concerned about how the app uses personal data can contact theprivacy organization for assistance or file a complaint with theFederal Privacy Commissioner's office. I can.
Privacy Commissioner Philippe Duflesne, a spokesperson, said their office has not received any complaints related to menstrual tracking apps and has not investigated any of those apps.
