This privacy alert is for our female readers, but guys, you can read it too!
“FemTech” is the broad term for apps and programs catering to women’s health. Consumer Reports recently raised concerns about the privacy practices of women’s health apps, specifically period trackers.
These apps know a lot about your intimate activities and health … but do you know where all your data’s going?
Your period data = big business
FemTech app makers share data with external advertising partners to develop personalized ads. It’s no coincidence you’re getting tampon ads a week before your period.
Even more alarming? Those external partners can then sell your private info to data brokers, who create a profile on you and sell it to others. It becomes a black hole from there.
Sharing isn’t caring
Love the idea of a period tracker, but want to protect your privacy? Choose wisely. Some of today’s most popular FemTech apps sell your data to advertisers, have murky privacy policies, or won’t let you use the app without giving up your email address. Even apps like Clue, Flo, and Ovia raise an eyebrow.
How to hide from data hoarders
Until app developers begin to take data privacy seriously, you need to proceed with caution. Here’s what you can do to safeguard your precious info:
- Use a password manager to generate super-strong passwords for your apps and encrypt them for extra safety. Save 50% on my top pick, Roboform, a sponsor of my radio show.
- Limit ad tracking on your smartphone. This helps you hide from targeted ads and keeps companies from discovering sensitive data.
- Once you download a period tracker app, opt out of permissions to share your data.
Or go old school. Track your cycle using a calendar and thermometer. No data tracking or targeted ads.
Click here to find out much of your private data mental health apps are sharing. The lack of privacy and the selling of data just never stops.