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Period-tracking apps used by millions of women are sharing information about their sex lives and health with Facebook, a new study revealed.<\/p>\n
Researchers with the advocacy group Privacy International published a report Monday that found two period-tracking apps, MIA Fem and Maya, sent data regarding users\u2019 health to the social media giant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Maya asks you to enter how you feel and offers suggestions of symptoms you might have \u2014 suggestions like blood pressure, swelling or acne \u2014 one would hope this data would be treated with extra care,\u201d the study said. \u201cBut no, that information is shared with Facebook.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Maya and MIA Fem have sent information on users\u2019 contraception, the timing of their periods, symptoms during cycles and even the last time they had sex, to Facebook through the social media giant\u2019s Software Development Kit, which helps the site target ads, according to the study.<\/p>\n
But Maya\u2019s parent company, Plackal Tech, has denied that any personally identifiable or medical data gets funneled to Facebook.<\/p>\n
The company said the app, which has more than 5 million Google Play store downloads, uses the Software Development Kit to \u201cearn revenue by displaying ads that our users can opt out of by subscribing to Maya\u2019s premium subscription,\u201d the advocacy group reported.<\/p>\n
MIA Fem \u2014 which has more than 1 million users \u2014 didn\u2019t immediately respond to request for comment.<\/p>\n
In response to the study\u2019s findings, Facebook said that it prohibits app developers from sharing customer data about health, finances or \u201cother categories of sensitive information.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have systems in place to detect and delete certain types of data such as Social Security Numbers, passwords, and other personal data, such as email or phone number,\u201d a Facebook spokesperson told Privacy International. \u201cWe have begun looking at ways to improve our system and products to detect and filter out more types of potentially sensitive data.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n