In this month’s period tracking app roundup, we go through major period tracking apps and any policy changes and updates you need to know.
You deserve the right to protect your data. pic.twitter.com/uA5HLHItCY
— Flo App (@flotracker) June 24, 2022
This comes in the wake of previously needing to go and request your data to be removed by support. As previously, even if you deleted the app the service would still retain any data on you including your mensural patterns. The development of an antonymous mode means an ability to use the app without any identifying information that could been given to external bodies.
We will be keeping you posted on any updates to this as it comes in.
Being an EU based app, they are under no obligation to supply data to a USA based body. However, this data can be requested by such state bodies but will have to go through a rigorous process to prove the need for this data.
We've had messages from users concerned about how their data could be used by US courts if Roe vs Wade is overturned. We completely understand this anxiety, and we want to reassure you that any health data you track in Clue about pregnancy or abortion is private and safe.
— Clue (@clue) May 4, 2022
We fully realize that rules and regulation around data privacy is complex and constantly changing. We promise that we will always strive to do better, listen to our users and continue to uncompromisingly protect our users’ privacy and personal health information.
— Glow, Inc. (@GlowHQ) June 25, 2022
As this is their most recent statement made by the company in relation to how they process your data in light of needing to enter into a settlement in California regarding exposing users data. It would be safe to confirm, that since they still have an option on their website that you would need to confirm with them not to sell your personal data. That for now it would be safer to avoid Glow until they have made a more concrete statement on their intentions with your data.
We will be keeping you posted on any updates to this as it comes in.
While Period Tracker Calander doesn’t have a social media presence, it is still recommended that you can request the deletion of your data through the Google Play’s Developer page’s data privacy section. In turn indicating that even if you delete the app, your data may still be kept.
While Stardust has been updating their app constantly in light of Roe Vs Wade, TechCrunch has noticed that the end-to-end encryption that was promised has been removed from their privacy policy.
We are also working on an option for users to completely opt out of providing any personal identifiable information (no account generation) and use the app fully anonymously, as well as full local data storage. (7/8)
— Stardust (@Stardusttracker) June 26, 2022
When asked if the company had conducted a third-party security audit of the app’s code, Moranis said that the company intends to “fully publish our implementation along with a third-party audit once it is complete,” but a timeline was not given. (TechCrunch will follow up when the results of the audit are available.)
After we heard from Stardust, the company quietly changed its privacy policy again to remove mentions of end-to-end encryption.
We will be keeping you posted on any updates to this as it comes in.
Thankfully, they have outlined a statement on their blog detailing their absolute opposition to what they consider to be “government overreach” and would rather shut down than participate in such violation.
We want to assure our users that we are adamantly opposed to government overreach and we believe that a hypothetical situation where the government subpoenas private user data from health apps to convict people for having an abortion is a gross human rights violation. In such a scenario, we will do all we can to protect our users from such an act. We would rather close down the company than be accomplice to this type of government overreach and privacy violation.
There has been no statement made on their Twitter or privacy policy in relation to Roe Vs Wade. We have reached out for comment and will update if we hear a reply.
There has been no statement made on their Twitter or privacy policy in relation to Roe Vs Wade. We have reached out for comment and will update if we hear a reply.
If there are any period apps you would like us to keep an eye on that we’re not currently covering please let us know in the comments below!