Partisia’s Post

"Period trackers 'coercing' women into sharing risky information" - is a very worrying Headline. It comes from the BBC article - https://lnkd.in/ekZ76-nN and is based upon this report - https://lnkd.in/eerqzhec For context the analysis only looks at 20 mHealth Apps (Female mobile health apps) from the Google Play Store. (no Apple analysis) Conclusions : "In this work, we explored the privacy practices of female mHealth apps, with an emphasis on -      how intimate user data is collected, shared, stored, and safeguarded by developers and third-parties in a post-Roe world, -      and the data rights offered to users. Through an in-depth, comparative analysis of the Data safety sections, privacy policies, and interfaces of 20 popular apps, we uncovered several inconsistencies, as well as problematic #privacy practices which saw data transmitted through complex chains of third-parties. We also identified substantial shortcomings in the design of female mHealth app interfaces, including a lack of granular #consent, inconsistent mechanisms for data deletion and portability, and dark patterns which coerced users into entering #sensitivedata. Our work demonstrates how intersections of gender, technology, and policy can configure unique risks to female mHealth app users in a post-Roe world, and we provide recommendations and avenues for future inquiry that promote a humanistic and safety-conscious approach to developing health technologies." This contrast significantly with the recent UK Information Commissioner's Office review of Period & Fertility Apps that concluded (Feb 2024) - "We looked closely at period and fertility apps to understand how they process personal data and identify whether there is any negative impact on users as a result". It concluded that "no serious compliance issues or evidence of harms were identified in this review" https://lnkd.in/eqDz94iF It is difficult to compare the report & ICO review e.g. in the depth of analysis undertaken but it would be good to understand how the ICO conclusion was drawn. Greater detail beyond "Nothing to see here - move along" would enhance the ICO's credibility "Cum omnia dicta factaque sunt, multo magis dictum quam factum" #GDPR #mHealth #Fertility #Period

🚨 Are Female Health Apps Putting Women at Risk? 🚨 A recent study by King's College London and University College London, as highlighted in a BBC News article, reveals alarming concerns about the privacy practices of popular female health monitoring apps: 🔍 Key Findings: ❌ Many apps fail to provide basic data-management functions, such as the ability to delete sensitive information like menstrual cycles or miscarriages. 🤔 Users are often coerced into sharing highly personal data without understanding how it is handled. ⚠️ Poor privacy practices can lead to severe risks, including blackmail, discrimination, and even violence. 📊With hundreds of millions of users relying on these apps for reproductive health management, it’s clear that the lack of transparency and data safety is a major issue. At FLORA 🌸, we’re taking a stand for better standards in health tech: 🔒 Your Privacy First: Your data stays on your device, where it belongs. 🌐 Transparency by Design: Blockchain ensures your consent is always verifiable and trustworthy. 🤖 Ethical AI: Our solutions prioritize safety and respect for your data. 💬 What do you think about the risks highlighted in the study? Let’s discuss how we can demand safer, user-centric solutions in health tech. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYuhv-JT #DataPrivacy #HealthTech #FLORAApp #EmpoweredWomen #DigitalEthics #AIForGood"

As we celebrate World Population Day 2024, we acknowledge the critical importance of investing in data collection to understand problems, tailor solutions, and drive progress. 📊🌐 This year's theme, "To Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone," emphasizes the need for comprehensive data that reflects the diversity of our societies. 🧑🤝🧑👨👩👧👦 Over the past three decades, advancements in population data gathering, analysis, and use have significantly improved global healthcare delivery, especially in sexual and reproductive health. However, marginalized communities remain underrepresented, affecting their lives and well-being profoundly. 🏥🧑⚕️ At Kich Architectural Products, we believe in the power of accurate data, just as we believe in the importance of secure and efficient door hardware for safety and accessibility. 🚪🔒 #worldpopulationday #dataforgood #sustainabledevelopment #inclusivedata #kichproducts #humanrights #globalprogress

⭐ Changemakers in FemTech ⭐ We're thrilled to highlight My Normative, a female-health focussed health platform driving innovation to disrupt the sex and gender data gap. 🔍 To achieve equitable health outcomes, the scientific community must embrace and invest in research methodologies that reflect the diverse spectrum of human experiences. My Normative is at the forefront of this transformation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medical research and innovation. 💡 Danika Kelly and the team at My Normative make this possible by implementing innovative data collection processes that enhance the understanding of sex and gender differences in health. 🔗 Read the story to learn more about My Normative's mission for health equity https://lnkd.in/gVecxMWW #Healthequity #MyNormative #Womenshealth #FemHealthInsights #Healthcaredata

As we celebrate World Population Day 2024, we acknowledge the critical importance of investing in data collection to understand problems, tailor solutions, and drive progress. 📊🌐 This year's theme, "To Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone," emphasizes the need for comprehensive data that reflects the diversity of our societies. 🧑🤝🧑👨👩👧👦 Over the past three decades, advancements in population data gathering, analysis, and use have significantly improved global healthcare delivery, especially in sexual and reproductive health. However, marginalized communities remain underrepresented, affecting their lives and well-being profoundly. 🏥🧑⚕️ At Kich Architectural Products, we believe in the power of accurate data, just as we believe in the importance of secure and efficient door hardware for safety and accessibility. 🚪🔒 #worldpopulationday #dataforgood #sustainabledevelopment #inclusivedata #kichproducts #humanrights #globalprogress

Ever been caught off guard by your period or faced an inconvenient mishap because you didn’t track it? Forgetfulness around periods can lead to frustrating situations, but thankfully, period-tracking apps have emerged as game-changers. These tools are a shining example of how femtech is revolutionising menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health. #Femtech isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a transformative force in healthcare. Clue, a trailblazer in this field, is redefining the conversation with its innovative app and commitment to evidence-based education. Their approach ensures that vital health information is accessible to everyone, no matter their background. At House of Adanna, we are especially inspired by how femtech, like Clue’s app, is addressing and dismantling long-standing barriers in women’s health. By making tracking and understanding menstrual cycles easier, Clue empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health. One of the best ways to drive meaningful change in women’s health is by celebrating the progress in femtech and advocating for accurate, inclusive health messaging, Let’s continue pushing for innovations that truly meet the needs of all women and work towards closing the #GenderHealthGap. Here’s to a future where technology and creativity unite to empower every individual! #WomensHealth #Femtech #HealthInnovation #Empowerment #GenderHealthGap

Period Tracking App Refuses To Disclose Data to American Authorities The team behind menstrual health and period tracking app Clue has said it will not disclose users' data to American authorities, following Donald Trump's reelection. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has blocked a bill in the state that would have banned law enforcement from enforcing search warrants for menstrual data stored in tracking apps on mobile phones or other electronic devices, according to the Houston Chronicle. And other states have passed or attempted to pass bills that would require medical care facilities and providers to report why women received abortions, as well as other personal information. In a statement online yesterday from Clue, CEO Rhiannon White said, "Clue was created to give you the ability to build your own cycle health record and to be able to use it to gain invaluable insights to help give you agency when it comes to your menstrual and reproductive health. "With Clue, you have the ability to better understand what's going on inside your body. It turns your data into a resource. One that can help you discover and anticipate patterns, identify changes, make informed decisions, and in some cases, even save your life." She added: "It's why we so firmly believe that as women and people with cycles, our health data must serve us and never be used against us or for anyone else's agenda. "We take the responsibility of protecting it extremely seriously, because everyone should be able to confidently keep a health record and trust that it will always be kept safe and secure. And that is exactly our promise to you. Now and always." The period-tracking app was founded in 2012 by Ida Tin, Hans Raffauf, Moritz von Buttlar, and Mike LaVigne and allows 10 million people in over 190 countries to track their menstrual cycle. Clue does not store or share users' data, which is considered sensitive data, without explicit permission, according to the Mozilla Foundation. In the U.S. in 2022, there were 55 million users of Clue and Flo, another period-tracking app. Clue told Newsweek the majority of its 10 million active monthly users are located in the U.S. Clue was attracting the third highest revenue of period-tracking apps globally in July 2024.

At HETT Show we discussed how we can leverage technology and improve data privacy to empower women and reduce gender bias in healthcare. https://lnkd.in/gft8FqRT

⚔ FemTech’s Double-Edged Sword: Empowering Women While Risking Their Privacy in a Post-Roe World As FemTech continues to grow as a global industry, it holds incredible promise for empowering women in areas like reproductive health, fertility, and overall well-being. FemTech tools, from period trackers to fertility apps, claim to help women take control of their health by providing convenient and accessible data. But there’s a critical challenge that many overlook: the privacy and ethical issues tied to the deeply sensitive data these apps collect. The reality is that FemTech gathers more than just clinical data—it captures intimate details about sexual preferences, menstrual cycles, reproductive choices, and mental health. In many parts of the world, where laws around women’s health (like abortion) are restrictive, this data could be weaponized. Case in point: after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, digital traces from FemTech apps could become evidence in criminal proceedings. This puts women in a vulnerable position, raising serious concerns about how their data is used, shared, or even exploited. Globally, there’s no uniform regulation protecting this data, which means women using these apps in one country may face very different risks than those in another. In some cases, FemTech companies could even be legally required to share this data with law enforcement, directly putting users in danger. The FemTech industry must take these risks seriously. Companies need to implement stronger privacy protections, minimize data collection, and ensure users can permanently delete sensitive information if needed. Only then can FemTech truly live up to its promise of empowering women, rather than putting them at risk. 👋 Hear me talk about this, and more, tomorrow at DAYAs session on Data privacy within Femtech at TechBBQ! #FemTech #innovation #Dataethics #privacy

At Briljent, we understand the importance of leveraging data to enhance patient care. This insightful article discusses how harnessing sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data can advance patient-centered care and address healthcare disparities. By integrating SOGI data into EHRs, healthcare providers can ensure more inclusive and effective care for all patients. Dive into the full article to explore the benefits and challenges of SOGI data integration. #HealthIT #PatientCare #SOGIData https://lnkd.in/eHYZere8