Women are deserting the popular period and fertility-tracking app Flo over allegations that it shared ‘highly sensitive’ user data with Facebook.
Flo has been downloaded over 140 million times, and is used as an ovulation calendar, period tracker and pregnancy app.
But in 2019, a report found that Flo was sharing sensitive users’ data with Facebook, despite promising to keep their information private.
This included information on when users were having their periods, as well as whether they intended to get pregnant.
Now, Flo has reached a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and has confirmed that it will be notifying all users that it shared their personal information without their consent.
However, the company maintains that it didn’t do anything wrong, and that is has only agreed to the settlement to ‘avoid the time and expense of litigation’.
Following the news, many frustrated women have deleted the app, with one describing the news as ‘deeply personal and shocking.’
Flo has been downloaded by over 140 million women around the world, and is used as an ovulation calendar, period tracker and pregnancy app
In the 2019 report, The Wall Street Journal found that Flo had shared period tracking data with Facebook so that it could deliver targeted online ads to users.
While Flo initially denied that it had shared critical user data, testing by The WSJ revealed that this was not the case.
The FTC voted on the proposed settlement 5-0, and will require Flo to obtain an independent review of its privacy practices and obtain users’ consent before sharing their health information.
Flo must also notify users of the FTC charges, and tell them that it shared their personal information without consent.
However, Flo maintains that it did not do anything wrong.
In a statement, a Flo spokesperson said: ‘Our agreement with the FTC is not an admission of any wrongdoing.
‘Rather, it is a settlement to avoid the time and expense of litigation and enables us to decisively put this matter behind us.
‘Flo did not at any time share users’ names, addresses, or birthdays with anyone.
‘We do not currently, and will not, share any information about our users’ health with any company unless we get their permission.’
Several Flo app users have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment at the news.
One user said: ‘I’ve been using this app for years, had no idea they were selling my data. I deleted both FB & IG over the past 3 years due to Zucky & data.
In 2019, a report found that Flo was sharing sensitive user data with Facebook, despite promising to keep user information private
‘It’s absolutely disgusting that Flo have done this. Will seek out a replacement asap, once I can extract my info – the point of tracking.’
Another added: ‘Wow I use that app. That is deeply personal and sick. Deleting that app immediately.’
And one wrote: ‘Wow, monetising menstrual cycles. We are truly living in a dystopia.’
Several Flo app users have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment at the data-sharing news
One Flo user described the data sharing revelations as ‘deeply personal and sick’, and said she was deleting the app
One Flo user tweeted: ‘Wow, monetising menstrual cycles. We are truly living in a dystopia’
Flo isn’t the only app in the firing line over allegations of sharing user data with Facebook.
The original WSJ investigation accused at least 11 apps of covertly collecting deeply personal information, including real estate app Realtor and Instant Heart Rate: HR Monitor.
Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said: ‘Apps that collect, use and share sensitive health information can provide valuable services, but consumers need to be able to trust these apps.
‘We are looking closely at whether developers of health apps are keeping their promises and handling sensitive health information responsibly.’