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🔒Period Tracking Apps Share Health Data With Third Parties

Your period data isn't as private as you think

TL;DR

Apps like Stardust and Flo are sharing users' sensitive health information with external companies. This includes pregnancy status, birth control details, and more. Users need to be cautious about their privacy settings.

Some period tracking apps are sharing your personal health data with third-party companies. For instance, Stardust sends user data to RudderStack, including details like pregnancy status, mood swings, and specific symptoms. This isn't unique; many apps share basic information with ad networks for targeted ads. However, the specifics of what's shared can vary widely. Flo and Clue are stricter about not sharing health info but still track device IDs and other data points. Users need to be vigilant about their privacy settings and understand how these apps operate.

Period Tracking Apps Share Health Data With Third Parties — bbc.com

Key Points

1

Stardust sends pregnancy status, birth control details, mood swings, alcohol consumption, and symptoms to RudderStack

2

Spot On opens Planned Parenthood's website which shares healthcare interest info with AB Tasty

3

Period Calendar sends device IDs and other data points to Google and InMobi for targeted ads

4

Flo and Clue collect extensive health information but do not share it with third parties under any circumstances

5

Euki stores all health information locally on the user's device, without sending it to servers

Why It Matters

If you use a period tracking app like Stardust or Flo, your sensitive health data might be shared with external companies. For example, Stardust shares pregnancy status and symptoms with RudderStack, while Period Calendar sends device IDs to Google and InMobi for targeted ads. Users should check their privacy settings regularly and understand what information is being shared.

period trackinghealth datathird-party sharingprivacy concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

If you use a period tracking app like Stardust or Flo, your sensitive health data might be shared with external companies. For example, Stardust shares pregnancy status and symptoms with RudderStack, while Period Calendar sends device IDs to Google and InMobi for targeted ads. Users should check their privacy settings regularly and understand what information is being shared.

What happened?

Apps like Stardust and Flo are sharing users' sensitive health information with external companies. This includes pregnancy status, birth control details, and more. Users need to be cautious about their privacy settings.

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