The advent of tracking apps promised a whole range of benefits - from empowering individuals to better understand their health, to the de-stigmatisation of health-related issues and monitoring of the reproductive body. Marketed as convenient, accessible and affordable tools to keep track of menstrual cycles and reproductive health, these apps gained traction, resulting in millions of downloads worldwide. However, with growing popularity came growing concerns about the processing, commodification, and potential misuse of individuals’ highly sensitive data.
What are the real costs of using menstrual tracking apps? How can this sensitive data be exploited to monitor reproductive rights? Can states access those data? Is the industry doing enough to prioritize users’ privacy and safety? How should regulators and data protection authorities approach this multifaceted issue? This panel will bring an intersectoral approach, highlighting perspectives from technologists, civil society advocates and researchers. The discussion, facilitated by trainees from the EDPS, EDPB and CoE, aims to raise awareness and spark constructive dialogue about the future of tracking apps also considering the development of reproductive rights in a digital context.
Moderator: Malina Hotaran, Trainee at Governance & Internal Compliance Unit, EDPS
Speakers:
- Michela Bedard, Executive Director, PERIOD.
- Judith Zoë Blijden, Legal philosopher, Founder of The Digital Period
- Angelina Hue, Technology Advocacy Officer, Privacy International
- Marie-Luise Kochsiek, Co-founder and Developer, Drip. App
- Lisa Mekioussa Malki, PhD Researcher, University College London