DOTHAN, AL (WDNews): Although popular period tracking apps offer insight and convenience, a recent study suggests they might be more detrimental than beneficial.
Researchers from Erasmus University’s Rotterdam School of Management discovered that a lot of period monitoring applications gather private health information without explicitly telling users how it will be shared. Sensitive information like sexual activity and fertility are occasionally sold to advertisers and other third parties.
The study also showed that the algorithms underlying these apps might not be as inclusive or accurate as users believe, according to the journal Contraception. Particularly for users with irregular periods or chronic diseases, the applications may misread natural variations in menstrual cycles because many are trained on limited datasets.
According to academics Maria Carmen Punzi and Tamara Thuis, these apps frequently perpetuate limited notions of what is considered normal, which can cause uncertainty, worry, and even poorly informed health decisions.
Concerns regarding the applications’ intricate privacy regulations were also brought up by the survey, which found that many users are unaware of what they are truly consenting to. In jurisdictions with stringent reproductive health regulations, where data privacy is more important than ever, it is particularly worrisome.
The researchers advise app makers to be more open, make sure their technology is accessible to all users, and combat stigmas associated with menstruation as more women turn to digital tools in the wake of changing reproductive rights in the United States.
Additionally, they advise consumers to inquire before downloading: Who is the owner of your data? Is it distributed? And how accurate are the forecasts?
Better regulation is required, according to experts, but in the meantime, users should exercise caution when it comes to their most private information.
