Risks and Awareness of Data Privacy in Popular Period-Tracking Apps in New Zealand

Period-tracking applications have become widely used digital tools for monitoring menstrual cycles, reproductive health, and general wellness. However, these apps often collect extensive personal data, raising significant privacy concerns. Many users log more than just their menstrual cycle, including details about sexual activity, medications, sleep habits, exercise routines, social interactions, and symptoms of perimenopause. Besides this, apps frequently gather location data and other personally identifiable information.

There is a particular risk associated with these apps in regions where reproductive rights, such as abortion access, are restricted or illegal. User data stored in these applications can be accessed by law enforcement agencies upon request, potentially exposing sensitive information about pregnancies, miscarriages, or abortions.

Since the first period-tracking app was launched in 2013, hundreds of similar tools have been developed, with billions of downloads worldwide. Notably, apps like Flo, Clue, and Period Tracker dominate the market, often linking with wearables and other health apps to import additional personal health data. Privacy analyses have revealed that many of these apps collect a wide range of personally identifiable data and sometimes share or export this data without clear user consent, sometimes updating privacy policies without informing users.

Original user data may end up in the hands of third parties, including commercial entities and researchers. For instance, Flo settled a legal case in 2021 after the Federal Trade Commission challenged its sharing of user data with marketing and analytics companies without explicit consent. The possibility of data being accessible to law enforcement becomes especially critical in places where abortion is criminalized, as app data can indirectly reveal pregnancy-related activities or even inferred abortion or miscarriage information.

Research conducted in New Zealand shows that users have diverse levels of awareness regarding these privacy risks. While some are unconcerned or see potential benefits, others are deeply worried about potential misuse or government access to their data. Concerns are often linked to broader issues like reproductive rights and the exercise of self-determination, especially in light of global developments such as the overturning of Roe v Wade. Participants expressed fears about overseas policies influencing local data privacy and emphasized the importance of strong protections.

Menstruators and users of these apps should not have to compromise privacy to benefit from health tracking tools. Policymakers and legislators have a role in establishing strict data privacy laws and regulations to safeguard personal health information.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-popular-period-tracking-apps-years.html