period tracker
Proton could make a period tracker. Either as an app or as a calendar feature. Privacy over this type of data is needed right now especially since some parts of the world have strict laws against abortion. And tech data is used against women in pregnancy outcome cases.
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Name
commented
Wow thank you for citing peer-reviewed articles Anji - this info was enlightening and health tracking in general seems like it could do a lot of good
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AZ
commented
Just FYI that drip. is a privacy-respecting period tracker: https://dripapp.org/
From their privacy policy: "There is no collection of usage data or personal information, no ads, no spyware. Drip can store data related to menstrual health locally on your device."
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Dolores Portalatin commented
I also wanted to point out that adding this type of tracking functionality could be used for tracking other things as well. For example mood tracking, meditation practice tracking, exercise routine, taking medication, etc. It would be extremely useful for a large number of people.
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Dolores Portalatin commented
In today's socio-political environment many women are in danger of having their menstrual tracking data used to jail or kill them for "crimes" such as using birthcontrol or having a miscarriage. Having this data in a secure encrypted place will save lives. If menstruation specific events / data tracking could be added to the calendar it would be extremely helpful.
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Joram Ulmke commented
Expanding Privacy Services
Proton can extend its privacy-focused offerings (email, cloud storage, VPN) by adding an encrypted period tracker, reinforcing its commitment to user security.Addressing Privacy Concerns
With growing data privacy awareness, users need secure options for sensitive health data like menstrual cycles. An encrypted tracker ensures this data remains private.Future-Proofing
As demand for secure health tracking rises, an encrypted period tracker will keep Proton ahead in the privacy tech landscape. -
Anji
commented
here are some peer-reviewed articles on why this is important, and why Proton, a provider of privacy-oriented solutions, should get into this market.
“Period-tracking apps are part of a fast-growing FemTech business industry, with an estimated current market value worth upwards of $60 billion. Recently, however, the data and privacy around this revolutionary tool have justifiably been called into question in a post-Roe America. […] FemTech companies can help ensure period-tracking apps are utilised to safeguard the bodily autonomy of users and not to be used as a weapon against them.” Missed period? The significance of period-tracking applications in a post-Roe America, Kelly & Habib 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26410397.2023.2238940#d1e245
“The menstrual cycle is considered a biological marker that predicts women’s general health [...] Moreover, mobile app use was reported to enhance [positively] the outcomes of several chronic illnesses and health issues” Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users, Karasneh et al 2020 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/2192387
“Femtech is the use of digital technology for women's health. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.2% from 2021 to 2027 […] There is an ever-increasing need for technology to support people who menstruate as not only physiology, but also socioeconomic, religious and cultural factors can influence people's experiences of menstruation, meaning that not all menstrual cycles are universally similar. […] The main reason for using a period tracker app is for users to track their periods, with the second most common reason being to avoid pregnancy. However, there is a range of other possible benefits from using the apps, from the empowerment of menstrual health to mental health.” Experiences of users of period tracking apps: which app, frequency of use, data input and output and attitudes, Patel et al 2024, https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/S1472-6483(23)00698-3/fulltext
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/2192387