The privacy problems hidden in your period tracker
A Mozilla Foundation investigation reveals that many popular period tracking apps share sensitive user health data with third-party companies. While some apps have improved their privacy standards, others continue to expose reproductive health information, raising concerns about data security in a post-Roe v. Wade legal landscape.
Why it matters
The findings highlight significant privacy risks for users of health-tracking apps, particularly regarding the potential use of personal data in legal proceedings.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Thomas Germain BBC/ Serenity Strull/ Getty Images (Credit: BBC/ Serenity Strull/ Getty Images) Some apps are sharing users' health data. New research uncovers which apps lock down your privacy, and which don't.
Stardust is a period tracking app that combines users' menstrual cycles with astrology and horoscopes. It also makes bold privacy promises.
"Your data is private," Stardust says on its website. "Period."
The problem, according to a new report shared exclusively with the BBC, is you and Stardust may have different definitions of "private".
The Mozilla Foundation, creator of the Firefox web browser, investigated the privacy practices of six popular period trackers: Flo, Clue, Stardust, Spot On, Period Calendar and Euki.
Some apps have strong protections. Others handle data in ways you might find disturbing, like sharing information with Google, Meta and TikTok, alongside other companies you've likely never heard of.
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