Its hard to imagine more intimate data than that collected by female technologies or femtech.
A new study shows that many femtech companies do not adequately safeguard such sensitive information.
Some may even intentionally leak personal data to third parties.
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In 2021, period-tracking app Flosettleda class action lawsuit over allegations it shared users health data with Facebook.
The social media platform would then use this information to display targeted ads.
One 2022studyfound that 84% of period tracker apps share data with third parties.
We have identified multiple threat actors interested in fertility and sex information, saidMehrnezhad.
These could be cyber-criminals, insurance companies, or even your employer.
Legal grey area
Currently, femtech sits in a legal grey area.
These devices and apps are not considered medical, so they fall outside the purview of healthcare regulations.
However, there are no specific laws in the EU or UK covering them either.
Currently nothing like this exists.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
