Latest news with #Flo
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Expert issues major warning to users of period tracker apps
Experts have issued an urgent warning to people using period tracker apps over fears that their data is being sold to third party companies. The mobile phone apps, designed to help people track their periods by counting the days they are menstruating, have proved hugely popular in recent years, with the biggest three - Flo, Clue and Period Tracker - downloaded by more than 250 million. A recent study by University of Cambridge 's Minderoo Centre warned users to exercise caution when using the applications - calling them a 'gold mine' for consumer profiling. Users who allow tracking on the app may be exposing their private information to major tech companies, who can use it to deliver targeted ads based on their menstrual cycle, the study suggested. Researchers warned that the intimate nature of the information could have far greater consequences in real life, with access to abortion, health insurance and even job prospects at risk. Leaked information could also make them vulnerable to discrimination and cyberstalking. Dr Stefanie Felsberger, the lead author of the report, said: 'There are real and frightening privacy and safety risks to women as a result of the commodification of the data collected by cycle tracking app companies.' The report called on official health bodies, including the NHS, to take action to create 'safer' alternatives to the apps currently on the market. According to the report, while data from period-tracking apps is held under special protections against being sold externally, consent options aren't always implemented, meaning advertisers - such as Google and Facebook - can easily get their hands on private information. Companies can use information from period tracking apps to target women according to their cycle, offering up beauty and pregnancy adverts during ovulation. Researchers told the BBC that data relating to who wants to be pregnant was some of the most 'sought-after information in digital advertising' as it's the 'most likely' driver of changes in shopping habits. This information can be up to 200 times more valuable than data on gender, age and location. Dr Felsberger said: 'Menstrual cycle tracking apps are presented as empowering women and addressing the gender health gap. 'Yet the business model behind their services rests on commercial use, selling user data and insights to third parties for profit. 'There are real and frightening privacy and safety risks to women as a result of the commodification of the data collected by cycle tracking app companies.' In addition to concerns regarding data leaks, information on women's health could also impact their reproductive care. According to an investigation by Tortoise Media, there have been instances whereby police have been able to request such data from period tracker apps when investigating women who have illegally accessed abortion services. Earlier this year, the National Police Chiefs' Council released guidance that permitted officers to investigate cases where a pregnancy loss, such as a miscarriage, stillbirth or early labour, could be the result of an illegal abortion. Responding to the findings, Rhiannon White, CEO of period tracking app Clue told The Mirror she was 'disappointed' by the news, adding that apps like theirs offered women 'agency' where public health system have 'failed' them in the past. She added that 97 per cent of users used the app to help monitor a myriad of health and reproductive issues, highlighting that it was wrong simply to view apps though a 'narrow fertility lens'. Some of those include hormone conditions such as PCOS, or endometriosis. Worldwide, one in 5 women are affected PCOS, a hormone disorder characterised by erratic or absent periods and cysts in the ovaries. And one in 10 people are thought to have endometriosis, a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting symptoms such as pain and heavy bleeding. It's caused by tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Adenomyosis is another reproductive condition - thought to imapct one in five people, it's symptoms also include severe pain in the abdomen and throughout the body, as well as heavy periods. Sue Khan, VP of Security and Data Protection Officer at Flo told the publication she supported efforts to ensure that it's users felt safe when using the app and that the highest standards of data protection were being implemented. In 2022, the company introduced 'Anonymous Mode', a feature that gave people access to Flo without having to include their name, email address, or any technical identifiers.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Buzzing £12m Rangers man overcome with battle fever as he tips Russell Martin to take Celtic out within a year
It's a new era at Ibrox and one ex striker at the club is excited at Martin being in charge Former Rangers striker Tore Andre Flo believes Russell Martin's swashbuckling style could see his new side take the Premiership by storm and win the title as soon as this season - if he gets the right players in. The beanpole former Norwegian frontman remains a record Scottish football recruit after Dick Advocaat splashed £12million to sign him from Chelsea and Flo insists major investment is needed again at Ibrox to end Celtic's dominance. Rangers' only recruit so far over the new era under American owners is Lyall Cameron who was signed on a pre-contract from Dundee before Martin was even appointed - but they are close to a loan deal for Max Aarons to kick things off. And Flo, in an interview with said: 'They obviously need to invest in the squad, but they also need to develop a style of football and identity under the new coach. 'There's no doubt that if you buy good players, you'll have a good chance to do well in the league. So I think the supporters would like to see some players that they know are very good, so they would have a chance. 'I do think that the new manager is very exciting. I know that a lot of supporters wanted Steven Gerrard and that would have been great, but I think with this guy, with Russell Martin, I like him, I like the way his teams played football. "It would be something a bit new in Scotland and I think if they get going, start well, he could be a very good thing for Rangers. Russell Martin deserves credit for sticking to his principles. But if he wants to do that at Rangers and succeed, then you need the right players for his style as well. 'And if Rangers could get that in, with his playing style, I think they could be very good and challenge Celtic. It could work. And I think it's something new and I think if the players buy into it, if they understand it, and do it the right way, I think it could be an exciting surprise for Rangers and for Scottish football. 'And you will see offensive, good football that will excite the supporters, at least. I like that style. And I heard him say that he wanted to play with his team, and to play the way that he'd like to play football himself, and I like that attitude. 'Rangers is a very big club. With all the passion from the supporters and all that. So if they get going, they could be really good quite quickly. 'I know the gap was quite big and it maybe has been for the last few seasons, but Rangers will get back up there again. Rangers will win the league soon and it could already be next season.' Flo knows better than most about the pressure of being the main striker for Rangers after coming in for huge criticism, not helped by his enormous price tag. He had an impressive strike rate of 38 goals in 72 games, including a debut strike in a 5-1 Old Firm derby romp against Celtic at Ibrox. However, he was seen as a big money failure and he has sympathy for current frontman Cyriel Dessers whose Rangers career could be coming to an end with AEK Athens in talks over a move. Flo, with a nod to his own time at Ibrox, laughed: 'You can score goals and fans still don't think you're any good! But that's the nature of football. 'I speak to quite a few Rangers supporters throughout the season, and they seem to be a little bit frustrated over him. Then suddenly he scores and he's playing well. 'But in general, it seems like he needs a lot of chances to score. He gets a lot of chances but misses quite a lot. I think it's a difficult question to say whether he should go. It sounds a bit harsh. 'At the same time, I think a lot of the supporters feel that someone else could maybe do an even better job there, that Rangers could have a possibility to sign even better players. But in this situation, it's really hard to ever think a team should sell a player who is scoring that many goals.'
Scoop
22-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Popular Period-Tracking Apps Can Hold Years Of Personal Data – New NZ Research Finds Mixed Awareness Of Risk
Period-tracking apps are popular digital tools for a range of menstrual, reproductive and general health purposes. But the way these apps collect and use data involves risk. Many apps encourage users to log information well beyond their menstrual cycle, including sexual activity, medications, sleep quality, exercise, social activity and perimenopause symptoms. As well as this logged data, apps often collect location and other personally identifiable information. Period tracking apps may pose a particularly high risk in places where abortion is illegal because user data may be accessed by law enforcement on request. Our new research examines how aware app users in Aotearoa New Zealand are of these risks. We found a range of levels of understanding and perspectives on risk, from untroubled to concerned and deeply worried about the implications of digital tracking for reproductive rights. Privacy, data and risk The first period-tracking app was released in 2013. Since then, hundreds of such apps have been created, with collectively hundreds of millions of downloads worldwide. A recent analysis found app downloads are particularly prevalent in North America, Europe, Australia and Aotearoa. The same study found three apps – Flo, Clue and Period Tracker – make up the majority of downloads. Some period apps can link to and import information from other apps and wearables. For example, Clue can link to and import information from the Oura smart ring and Apple Health, both of which gather personal health metrics. Flo can similarly import information from other health apps. A recent analysis of period app privacy policies found they often collect a range of personally identifiable information. Personal health data flows to third parties Some participants in our research have used an app for a decade or longer. This means the app holds a comprehensive database of years of intimate health data and other personal information, including some which they may not have chosen to provide. This data can be used by a range of third parties in commercial, research or other applications, sometimes without app users' explicit knowledge or consent. One study found many period apps exported more data than was declared in privacy policies, including to third parties. Another study reported that apps changed privacy policies without obtaining user consent. Apps can also infer sensitive information not explicitly logged by users by combining data. In 2021, Flo reached a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission on charges over its sharing of user data with marketing and analytics companies without user consent. App privacy policies often state that user data may be accessed by law enforcement on request, which is a major concern in places where abortion is illegal. Users may explicitly log the start and end of pregnancies, but pregnancy can also be inferred or predicted using other data. In some cases, period app data may therefore reveal a user's miscarriage or abortion. Making sense of the risk in New Zealand Our exploration of user attitudes about the risk of period-tracking apps has revealed that about half of participants were unconcerned about their data. Some imagined positive uses for their data, such as improving the app or contributing to reproductive healthcare research. These potential uses are often highlighted by period-tracking apps in marketing materials. Other participants were concerned about their data. Some had risk minimisation strategies, including limiting what information they logged. Concerned participants were often resigned to uncontrolled uses of their data. One said: [there's] no such thing as private data these days. Another thought that: everyone that does anything online […] is kind of accepting the fact that your data is being potentially accessed and used by third parties. It's just kind of where it is now. About a third of participants in our study contextualised their concerns with respect to reproductive rights and abortion access, especially since the 2022 overturn of Roe v Wade in the US. Others wondered if what happened in the US could happen in New Zealand. One participant referenced concepts such as rangatiratanga and mana motuhake (self determination) when thinking about period app data. She said: I worry about the politics that happen overseas coming here to Aotearoa […] knowing that I don't have full control or rangatiratanga over the data I provide. I worry for all users about what this information can be used for in future, as much as we like to say 'this is New Zealand, that would never happen here', we have no idea. With gender and reproductive rights at risk around the world, such concerns are reasonable and justified. Study participants used period-tracking apps for diverse reasons, including to plan for periods, to track pain and communicate it to doctors, to help get pregnant, and to learn about their bodies. Some participants told us that using period apps was empowering. Some perceived period apps as risky, with limits to how they can mitigate the risk. Menstruators shouldn't have to trade data privacy and security in order to access the benefits of period-tracking apps. Legislators and policy makers should understand the benefits and risks and ensure strong data protections are in place.
Irish Examiner
17-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Dr Suzanne Crowe: FemTech can fight medical misogyny — but not if it's going to be used to monitor us
A couple of months ago I was contacted through LinkedIn seeking support for a start-up company keen to target women seeking health services using a digital platform. Specifically, mental health services. As a mother of two young women, my interest was piqued by the term the company used in the description of their innovative product: FemTech. FemTech is the term for the pairing of technology with women's health and wellbeing. It was coined in 2016 by Ida Tin, a Danish entrepreneur who co-founded a menstrual tracking app called Clue. In almost a decade, there has been an explosion of devices, services and software applications aimed at longstanding deficits in women's healthcare. Novel technology solutions include contraceptive prescription and delivery, fertility-tracking and advice, health support for new mothers and their newborn babies, at-home testing for sexually transmitted infections, smart lactation pads, osteoporosis predictors, and psychology assessments. As one friend put it to me, "men get trading platforms for shares and fitness trackers, women get sold stuff to 'fix' their bodies". FemTech is now a massive industry, with Flo, the period-tracking app valued at almost a billion dollars. Dr Suzanne Crowe: 'It's hard not to see the rapid growth of FemTech as a comment on women's healthcare as it is currently provided.' Picture: Moya Nolan Both my daughters have used menstrual apps since they were young teenagers, enjoying the accessibility and responsiveness. It's a world away from the coy TV ads I grew up with, depicting strange blue fluid being poured onto pads. Historically, medical research focused almost uniquely on white men, and women's health concerns were often overlooked or dismissed. Dr Hazel Wallace's book The Female Factor captures the extent of medical misogyny and women's exclusion from diagnosis and treatment. Restriction extended to the development of medications, where women were excluded from testing for many years, leading to dose ranges based only on men's bodies. Coupled with a pervasive shame attached to sexual health, mental health and women's bodies, traditional medical practice has unwittingly created a significant gap which healthcare 'disruptors' are eager to capitalize on. This is largely a positive thing. But if technology solutions become the dominant offering, they may contribute to leaving ever-increasing service gaps unaddressed. Technology bypasses some issues but not all, fostering more empowered, but increasingly frustrated, women who continue to require intervention from an overwhelmed local hospital. It is a tool, not a replacement for a functioning health service. Technology won't do much to change attitudes among healthcare professionals to women's health needs either – that needs to come from deep listening, respect, kindness and education. The potential benefits are clear: technology empowers women to input their personal information, identify symptom patterns, and possible health issues, and use that data to receive personalised healthcare. Using software, they can consider a diagnosis, learn what their choices are, and make informed decisions. Digital platforms carry no judgment, with women from different ethnic origins and/or the LGBT+ community finding understanding there. Of course, empathic patient-focused care, delivered in partnership is fundamental to healthcare. So, it's hard not to see the rapid growth of FemTech as a comment on women's healthcare as it is currently provided. As FemTech moves to fill a perceived gap, it would be easier to leave traditional views undisturbed rather than reflecting on how our people-based service can improve. Just as vinyl records gave way to CDs, and CDs ceded to music streaming, traditional health services must apply humility, excise stigma and barriers, and improve their offerings or be left behind. Data tracking Not only do we risk losing our imperfect humanity in a technology-dominated health service, but we also risk the negative consequences of commercialising health data. Putting a price on data and its interpretation may make this assistive technology too expensive for the marginalised groups it was aspiring to reach. More worryingly, a research group in Cambridge University's Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy have raised significant concerns about the use of data collected by fertility tracking apps. Data collected on apps is designated 'special category' rather than treated as medical data from a regulation perspective. It potentially could provide a valuable advertising tool for companies – or worse. The report's authors caution that information from cycle tracking apps in the wrong hands could result in risks to job prospects, workplace monitoring, health insurance discrimination, and in some countries, limit access to termination of pregnancy. In an ideal world, new digital solutions would become publicly owned, allowing integration into real-life health services, leading to better outcomes for society. However, tech entrepreneurs are not going to wait for Valhalla. As women's healthcare needs are finally validated, it is vital that new technologies are evaluated for potential benefits, and or potential harms. Any likely harms, for example compromise of privacy, require informed consent and regulation, especially when it comes to the retention and use of highly personal data. FemTech is here to stay. We must ensure the hand guiding its use is an ethical one. Dr Suzanne Crowe, consultant in paediatric intensive care, President of the Medical Council Read More A period of life we need to talk about — the stigma that still surrounds menstruation
ITV News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Tens of thousands expected in Manchester for Parklife with headliners Charlie XCX and 50 Cent
Tens of thousands of music lovers are expected to at Manchester's Heaton Park for the return of Parklife festival. About 80,000 people are expected for the two-day event in Manchester on Saturday and Sunday, where rapper 50 Cent and singer Charli XCX will headline. Other names include R&B singer Jorja Smith, DJs Peggy Gou and PAWSA, along with chart-topper Lola Young. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the popular festival, with over 100 acts taking to a number of different stages. The main stage will see the following performances: Saturday 12:00-14:15 - Rich Reason & Yami 14:15-14:45 - JD Cliffe 15:15-16:00 - Antony Szmierek 16:30-17:00 - Flo 17:45-18:45 - Rudimental 19:45-20:30 - Jorja Smith 21:30-22:45 - 50 Cent Sunday 13:00-14:00 - Gina Breeze 14:00-15:00 - Jodie Harsh 15:30-16:15 - Marc Rebillet 16:30-17:30 - Girls Don't Sync 18:00-18:45 - Confidence Man 19:15-20:45 - Peggy Gou 21:30-22:45 - Charli XCX The full line-up is here. People heading to the festival are being encouraged to plan their journeys, with a number of other events, including concerts at Co-op Live arena, happening across the city. National Highways is warning drivers that congestion is likely around the local motorway network around Manchester at key times over the weekend. Lionel Richie and Chris Brown are playing at Co-op Live and Catfish and the Bottlemen are also performing at Heaton Park on Friday 13 June. Annual football fund raiser Soccer Aid is also taking place at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, 15 June.
