Some fertility tracking apps leak sensitive health information

Some fertility tracking apps may be sharing sensitive reproductive health information with advertising companies. Researchers examined 20 Android fertility apps and found that five appeared to leak user health data directly or indirectly through targeted advertising. Researchers urge women to reduce privacy risks by choosing apps with stronger data protection policies. The report notes that “consumer choice — which apps a user chooses to install — could be associated with dramatically different privacy outcomes.” The global fertility apps market generates $825 million annually and is projected to grow by almost 15% by 2035.