New Bill Protects Women's Health Data from Period Tracking Apps

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs recently highlighted a new bill focused on protecting the sensitive data collected by period and fertility tracking apps. The legislation aims to prevent the misuse of this information by limiting data collection to only what is strictly necessary for providing the app's services. Furthermore, the bill explicitly prohibits the sale or sharing of this personal data. "The bill does a few things," explained Congresswoman Jacobs in a recent PinkpillRx podcast interview. "It says that the company can only collect and retain the data that is strictly necessary to provide the service you've asked of them." This means that apps cannot collect unnecessary data points, such as location data, which is a significant step toward protecting user privacy. The legislation also includes provisions for users to request data deletion and the right to sue if they believe their data has been misused. "They are not allowed to sell or share it," Congresswoman Jacobs emphasized. "You can ask for it to be deleted at any time, and if you believe your data is being misused, you have the right to sue." This new bill is a positive development for women's health data privacy, offering a much-needed layer of protection against potential misuse of sensitive personal information.