We saw that period tracking apps were not your friends because they can resell your data (and they do) or can give them to the authorities. We also know which data they collect or can collect. But do they really need all this optional data? And does it really have an impact on your cycle? I installed many period tracking apps on the market and reviewed the information asked with the help of a midwife. Once again, I will mostly speak about Flo and Clue as they are the giants of this industry.
First thing first, I directed a small survey and asked around 50 European women what they knew about the use of their data by period tracking apps.
I noticed most women using these apps had an irregular flow. The ones with a regular, predictable flow didn’t really use such apps or used them to have detailed information.
Period tracking apps allow you to fill in data on your mood, sexual and/or physical activity, spotting, … Many of the women surveyed do not use the apps when they do not have their period. They mostly share it during the most “fruitful” phase of their cycle. Most apps say they don’t sell users’ data (even though some were caught red-handed like Flo), but they still share it with third parties for advertising marketing.
The women surveyed had a feeling this data could be used for advertising (57.4% had a feeling and 14.9% knew it), but didn’t know some of these period tracking apps could share their information with national authorities; 97.8% of them didn’t feel they had been sufficiently informed about that.
In general, users are skeptical about the use of their personal data by period tracking apps. Let’s not forget that after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court many people encouraged women to delete such apps. Only a few women in my survey confirmed they registered the morning-after pill intake or abortion on a period tracking app (9.1%) when 26.1% of them have used the morning-after pill and 2% have had an abortion.
Now, let’s zoom in on a few information period tracking apps can ask you to fill in and their actual impact on your cycle.
Your physical activity and stress
It is known that intense exercise can have an impact on your cycle. You may get lighter period, no period or a new cycle. Some activities like yoga, aerobics and Kegel exercises can help when you have irregular periods and may reduce cramps.
Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress, as chronic stress may cause irregular cycles or a heavier flow.
The slight issue with period tracking apps is that they ask a bit too much information since you can already fill in your stress-level and mood in other sections.
Leisure and sex life
Traveling may delay your period, especially when you experience jet lag. Your alcohol intake can worsen your cramps and cause irregular cycle (in case of abuse).
Something that is a bit strange is that all period tracking apps inquire about your sex life. Clue even asks if you went on a date (in addition to the “sex life” section), even though it does not mean you had sex. The “funny” part is they admit that such information does not influence your cycle. Flo is the first website to appear when you google “does your sex life have an impact on your cycle”.
Whom should you trust?
Most users of period tracking apps are people with an irregular flow. 1.8 billion people have their period every month and 14 to 20% of them have an irregular cycle. Yet only 2.67% of them use Flo and 0.56% Clue. Even though it’s not a large amount, their privacy matter.
I intensively reviewed Clue and Flo and mentioned Ovia. I cannot bid you to use a specific app, but here are a few details regarding your privacy.
Clue is German and GDPR compliant by design, such as Natural Cycles that is Swedish and GDPR compliant by design. Even though they don’t sell your personal data they can share an anonymized version with third parties for ads marketing and with research centers. It’s easy to reidentify data, because complete anonymity is not possible. Good thing, if you don’t want any of your data to be shared you can opt-out from these apps’ settings, it’s opted-in by default.
Flo is Belarusian it was created in 2015. Four years later, it was caught selling data to Meta after repeatedly saying they don’t sell it. In 2021, they reached an agreement with the US Federal Trade Commission and apparently stopped doing it. They can still process data from third parties and share it with others for ads marketing. In 2022, they launched the ‘anonymous mode” to protect your information in wake of Roe v. Wade overturn. With this, you can use the app without being identified. For example, you will not need to give your name or email address.
Euki is American and was deemed safe for your personal data by the Mozilla Foundation, because they don’t collect your personal information. Everything is stored on your own device. Euki was developed by the Women Help Women foundation.
Cycle Tracker (Apple health app) is American. They ask minimum information and don’t share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. However, they can still share it with third parties (partners) per their privacy policy “Apple-affiliated companies, service providers who act on our behalf, our partners, developers, and publishers, or others at your direction”. Good thing, the health data is encrypted and even Apple can’t read all of it.
To see more reviews click here.
Special thanks to Tess Chassagne, midwife in Paris area for her help.
Sources :
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/
https://drlenkliman.com.au/articles/the-facts-about-irregular-or-late-periods/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10818287/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916245/
https://flo.health/newsroom/flo-launches-anonymous-mode
A propos de Venise CORNET
Inscrite à l'examen des cours complémentaires en droit luxembourgeois (CCDL) et étudiante en Master 2 en Droit de l'Économie numérique à l'Université de Strasbourg, je suis déterminée à mettre en œuvre mon expertise en droit numérique et propriété intellectuelle au sein d'équipes juridiques innovantes.
