Published On: September 10th, 2019Categories: Uncategorized


There are numerous apps to help track menstruation cycles, inviting users to input sensitive information about their personal health. But what if companies such as Facebook were using that private information as well? RELATED VIDEO ABOVE: Gen Z Women Are More Open About Menstruation Than Older GenerationsA privacy watchdog based in Britain, Privacy International, is concerned that two phone apps directed toward giving advice about fertility and menstrual health haven’t been keeping the information as secure as they should. In fact, Privacy International is reporting that it’s plausible the apps in question, Maya and MIA Fem, left the door open for Facebook to utilize the personal information of its customers.Every day, users of the apps are asked to input information about their menstrual cycles, sexual history, ovulation cycles and birth control methods so the apps can gain better insight. The problem is these companies also utilize the Facebook Software Development Kit to create its apps. Through the Facebook Software Development Kit, companies can share data with Facebook to monetize its app or track analytics. According to Privacy International, Maya and MIA Fem started sharing data the moment someone started using the app. Advertisers often work with Facebook to create targeted ads. Privacy International’s findings mean Maya and MIA Fem could be using this data to target potential users. Buzzfeed was the first to report this possible violation. According to Facebook, it got into touch with the apps that Privacy International identified to let them know they might be violating its terms of service. “When Maya asks you to enter how you feel and offers suggestions of symptoms you might have — suggestions like blood pressure, swelling or acne — one would hope this data would be treated with extra care,” Privacy International said. “But no, that information is shared with Facebook.”MIA Fem collects data from customers pertaining to a wide range of personal topics such as tampon use, smoking habits and issues reminders to take birth control. While most of the information isn’t directly sent to Facebook, the app does recommend articles and advice to its customers based on their needs and that information can be shared with Facebook. Buzzfeed said it contacted MIA Fem about the report. The app company said the statement it sent to Privacy International was not supposed to be shared with Buzzfeed so it would be taking legal action against the privacy watchdog.The parent company of Maya, Plackal Tech, sent Buzzfeed and Privacy International an email statement: “The Ad SDK helps us earn revenue by displaying ads that our users can opt out of by subscribing to Maya’s premium subscription. All data accessed by Maya are also essential to the proper functioning of the product. Predicting information pertaining to menstrual cycles is complex and dependent on thousands of variables,” the email added. “Location information, the significance of which is highlighted in the report, helps us triangulate regional variations in cycle lengths and thus help improve accuracy of our prediction over time.”As for Facebook, a spokesperson said the platform requires app developers let its customers know they are sharing information not just with the app but with Facebook and requires them to consent to that notion.

There are numerous apps to help track menstruation cycles, inviting users to input sensitive information about their personal health. But what if companies such as Facebook were using that private information as well?

RELATED VIDEO ABOVE: Gen Z Women Are More Open About Menstruation Than Older Generations

A privacy watchdog based in Britain, Privacy International, is concerned that two phone apps directed toward giving advice about fertility and menstrual health haven’t been keeping the information as secure as they should.

In fact, Privacy International is reporting that it’s plausible the apps in question, Maya and MIA Fem, left the door open for Facebook to utilize the personal information of its customers.

Every day, users of the apps are asked to input information about their menstrual cycles, sexual history, ovulation cycles and birth control methods so the apps can gain better insight. The problem is these companies also utilize the Facebook Software Development Kit to create its apps.

Through the Facebook Software Development Kit, companies can share data with Facebook to monetize its app or track analytics. According to Privacy International, Maya and MIA Fem started sharing data the moment someone started using the app.

Advertisers often work with Facebook to create targeted ads. Privacy International’s findings mean Maya and MIA Fem could be using this data to target potential users.

Buzzfeed was the first to report this possible violation. According to Facebook, it got into touch with the apps that Privacy International identified to let them know they might be violating its terms of service.

“When Maya asks you to enter how you feel and offers suggestions of symptoms you might have — suggestions like blood pressure, swelling or acne — one would hope this data would be treated with extra care,” Privacy International said. “But no, that information is shared with Facebook.”

MIA Fem collects data from customers pertaining to a wide range of personal topics such as tampon use, smoking habits and issues reminders to take birth control. While most of the information isn’t directly sent to Facebook, the app does recommend articles and advice to its customers based on their needs and that information can be shared with Facebook.

Buzzfeed said it contacted MIA Fem about the report. The app company said the statement it sent to Privacy International was not supposed to be shared with Buzzfeed so it would be taking legal action against the privacy watchdog.

The parent company of Maya, Plackal Tech, sent Buzzfeed and Privacy International an email statement: “The Ad SDK [Facebook’s software development kit] helps us earn revenue by displaying ads that our users can opt out of by subscribing to Maya’s premium subscription. All data accessed by Maya are also essential to the proper functioning of the product. Predicting information pertaining to menstrual cycles is complex and dependent on thousands of variables,” the email added. “Location information, the significance of which is highlighted in the report, helps us triangulate regional variations in cycle lengths and thus help improve accuracy of our prediction over time.”

As for Facebook, a spokesperson said the platform requires app developers let its customers know they are sharing information not just with the app but with Facebook and requires them to consent to that notion.


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