Period Tracking Apps without Roe v. Wade

Following the devastating overturning of Roe v. Wade, many of us soon had social media feeds filled with warnings to stop using online period trackers. But after the app-deleting frenzy, there was no follow up on what this new information meant. So why is it dangerous to use period trackers in a sans-Roe world?

Period tracking apps such as Flo and Clue help people with periods become aware of their bodies, something that is very important for bodily empowerment in a world that shies away from discussing menstruation and feminine health issues. Period trackers help people who menstruate know when they’re about to start bleeding out of their vaginas, can help people know when they’re most likely to become pregnant, and provide general ease of mind for people concerning periods. Maybe a little overly personal, considering the app can track your period cycles, menstrual disorders, and pregnancies, but overall, sounds super helpful, right? Except for when you stop to think about where that information is going.

It’s imperative that, as consumers, we know that this data collected by period tracking apps is stored in the cloud, rather than directly on the phone, and that many period tracking apps have very vague privacy settings, according to zdnet.com. As a recent example, Flo assured the FTC that they merely shared their data with third parties for marketing purposes, and that they ensured consent with their users before sharing. However, they neglected to mention to users that their information regarding menstrual cycles and sexual activities may be shared with Facebook and Google, and that these major companies were given no limitations as to how they could use this information.

In states where abortion is or is in the process of being outlawed, using these apps could have grave consequences. Governments can gain access to this information and use it to determine the status of somebody’s pregnancy, and accuse them of having an abortion. This is potentially dangerous for those who have to seek illegal or underground abortions, and could also pose a risk for those who simply forget to update their period trackers consistently. Indeed, there are laws that protect this medical data, but they were created before the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and are not enough to keep this information safe from government officials who can and might use it as evidence in a court.

However, that is not to say there are no online period tracking options available. Clue is a Berlin-based period tracker that was founded by a woman. Since the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, they have released a statement about their response. Clue has affirmed their commitment to reproductive rights and confirms that European law protects users’ data, saying “Our mission has always been to empower people to know their bodies, through all stages of life, and whatever their reproductive decisions may be…Clue is obligated under the world’s strictest data privacy law, the European GDPR, to apply special protections to such health data.” Period apps such as Clue stand firm in their decision to protect the safety and privacy of their users, and one can only hope that other apps do the same.

“Femtech” apps and softwares were designed to improve women’s health and awareness of what their bodies need, and they have made immense progress in doing so. Period tracking apps are both convenient and empowering, and people who menstruate deserve to feel entitled to all information regarding their bodies, without any fear of legal persecution. Unfortunately, these apps are no longer the trustworthy, feminist-focused technologies that they once were. It’s more important than ever to read the privacy policies thoroughly and stay updated on the political climate, and when in doubt, keep your information out of the digital world. The struggle for reproductive justice is not over, but until we reach a point of complete bodily autonomy, those with periods must fight this fight as our predecessors did; while using old fashioned pen and paper to track our periods.