Podcast Summary
Personal health data and privacy in the context of abortion rights: Be aware of how your period tracking data is being used and shared, as it could impact your privacy and personal freedoms.
Our personal health data, including information related to menstrual cycles, can be sensitive and potentially vulnerable. In the context of the ongoing discussion around abortion rights and privacy, this issue has gained renewed attention. Emily Quang from NPR shared a personal story about using a simple method for period tracking, but she also highlighted concerns about the buying and selling of health data. This conversation was sparked by a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that could potentially overturn Roe v Wade and the implications it may have on privacy, including the potential use of data from period tracking apps. Health data researcher Andrea Ford emphasized the importance of being aware of how our data is being used and shared, and the potential consequences it could have on our privacy and personal freedoms. It's crucial to consider the potential risks and take steps to protect our sensitive health information.
Data Collection and Use in Period Tracking Apps: Period tracking apps collect personal data, including sensitive health information, and sell it to advertisers, raising ethical concerns while also offering potential benefits for scientific research
Period tracking apps, which have become increasingly popular for helping users manage their menstrual cycles and fertility, collect a vast amount of personal data, including sensitive information about sexual activity, contraception use, and mood. Users primarily use these apps to gain control over their health and anticipate symptoms, but this data is also sold to advertisers for profit. Researchers like Andrea and Julia see great potential in this data for advancing scientific understanding of the menstrual cycle, which is now considered a 5th vital sign in health. However, the privacy implications of this data collection and sharing raise important ethical questions.
Many health apps share user data with third parties: 79% of health apps share user data, potentially leading to targeted ads or even data sales, impacting privacy.
When you use health apps to log your personal data, it may not remain private. A significant portion of health apps, approximately 79%, share user data with third parties, according to a 2019 study. This means that information about your period, mood, or other health-related data could potentially be used for targeted advertising or even sold to other companies. Emily Quang, the host of the NPR podcast "Shortwave," shares her personal experience of receiving constant ads for pregnancy tests and family planning products based on her period tracking data. This is a common occurrence for many users, and even researchers in the field of health tech have experienced similar data usage. It's essential to be aware that your data may be commodified when you use health apps and consider the potential implications for your privacy.
Data Collection and Advertising Driven by Structural Connections: Companies collect data through structural connections, primarily for advertising purposes, and the collection of intimate data from apps like period trackers highlights the need for stronger privacy protections and transparency.
While individuals may have come to accept that their personal data is being collected and sold without their explicit consent, the regulations and transparency surrounding this practice vary greatly around the world. Companies like Google and Facebook have the ability to collect data from apps and websites that use their code, creating structural connections that go beyond traditional business transactions. This data collection is primarily driven by the desire to benefit advertisers, with certain demographics, such as pregnant women, being particularly valuable due to their increased spending power. The intimate nature of data collected through apps like period tracking makes this issue even more pressing, highlighting the need for greater privacy protections and transparency.
Cost of free online services: our personal data: Personal data is collected, analyzed, and sold without consent in surveillance capitalism, making us the product for companies' profits, despite confusing privacy policies
Our use of health apps and other free online services comes at a cost: our personal data. This data is collected, analyzed, and sold to companies, often without our knowledge or consent, in a process called surveillance capitalism. The data economy is systemic and relies on mass surveillance of the internet. Many people are unaware of the extent to which their data is being collected and used, and feel powerless to change the terms. It's important to remember that when something is free, you are often the product. Companies profit from our data, and the ads we see can eerily mirror our interests. Privacy policies can be confusing, but it's essential to understand what data is being collected and how it's being used. Being informed and taking steps to protect your privacy can help you regain control in the digital age.
Sharing data protection responsibility: Governments, companies, and users must work together to safeguard data in the digital age. Regulations like GDPR can hold companies accountable, while user empowerment and ongoing conversations are essential.
Individuals cannot solely bear the responsibility for safeguarding their data in today's digital world. While it's essential to be aware of the permissions apps have access to, the burden of data protection should be shared among governments, companies, and users. Regulations like GDPR in Europe demonstrate that systemic measures can hold companies accountable for data transparency and privacy. User empowerment and ongoing conversations about data privacy are crucial to keep surveillance capitalism in check. Ultimately, fostering discussions about data privacy beyond tech development circles can lead to a better understanding of its implications on free will, democracy, and individual values.
Important conversations about societal values and responsibilities: We need to consider the kind of society we want to build and how to ensure everyone's needs are met, especially in the context of technology's impact on democracy and health.
Learning from this podcast episode is that there's a need for important conversations about societal values and responsibilities, as evidenced by the discussions surrounding democracy, Facebook, and period tracking. These issues may seem unrelated at first, but they all touch on larger questions about who is responsible for providing essential services, such as health and democracy, and what role companies and individuals should play. These conversations are particularly relevant now, as we grapple with the implications of technology on our democracy and our health. It's a critical moment for us to consider the kind of society we want to build and how we can ensure that everyone's needs are met. The podcast was produced by NPR, with editing by Sara Saracen, production by Rebecca Ramirez and Margaret Serino, fact-checking by Marge, and audio engineering by Patrick Murray. For more insights, check out BlackRock's podcast, The Bid, where CEO Larry Fink discusses investment challenges and solutions.
