Categories: Tech

Period trackers to be reviewed over data concerns

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is reviewing period and fertility trackers because of data security concerns.

The apps work by plotting menstrual cycles, based on information entered by users.

They purport to help women know the optimum time to attempt to conceive.

But the ICO says survey evidence indicates many users worry about how secure the data they share is, and how transparent app developers are being.

The regulator said a poll it had commissioned indicated a third of women had used apps to track periods or fertility.

Some 59% of respondents flagged concerns over data transparency, while 57% were worried about the security of the information they had submitted.

The research also showed over half of those who use the apps believed they had noticed an increase in baby or fertility-related adverts since signing up. While some reacted positively to the marketing, 17% described receiving these adverts as distressing.

Emily Keaney, deputy commissioner of regulatory policy at the ICO, said the respondents' fears were understandable "given the incredibly sensitive and personal information involved".

"As with all health apps, we would expect organisations to safeguard their users' privacy and have transparent policies in place," she said.

"This review is intended to establish both the good and bad of how the apps are working currently."

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The apps are meant to give a better understanding of menstrual cycles

Among the concerns it will investigate are whether app privacy policies are unnecessarily complicated or confusing, so leaving users uncertain about what data they have consented to sharing.

It will also consider whether apps are requesting or storing unnecessary volumes of data, and whether users are receiving upsetting targeted advertising that they did not sign up to.

The ICO is urging app users to come forward to share their experiences via a survey on its website. It is also commissioning focus groups and user testing. Women's health groups have also offered support.

The regulator has also contacted companies who provide period and fertility tracking apps, including some of the most popular apps available to UK users, to find out how they are processing users' personal information.

Share

Recent Posts

Germany’s new conservative leader looks to ‘achieve independence’ from US

close Video Ned Ryun on conservative party winning Germany's election: 'Time for them to grow…

35 minutes ago

DOGE, EPA team up to claw back $67 million in ‘environmental justice’ grants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is teaming up with Elon Musk's cost-cutting department to draw…

55 minutes ago

SCOTUS turns down abortion clinic buffer zone challenge, Thomas slams ‘abdication’ of duty

The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a pro-life challenge against protest restrictions around…

55 minutes ago

Irish leaders boycott Washington St Patrick’s Day events over Trump’s Gaza comments

Irish leaders will skip St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the U.S. this year to protest…

55 minutes ago

Kamala Harris takes veiled jabs at Trump, Elon Musk in 1st major speech since election defeat

Former Vice President Kamala Harris took veiled jabs at President Donald Trump and Department of…

55 minutes ago

Reporter’s Notebook: All night long

The policy agenda of President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans is keeping Democrats up at…

55 minutes ago