In need of a new period tracking app/website.
September 12, 2022 9:53 AM Subscribe
The period app I've used for years is closing down. What can I use instead?
I've used a period tracker to track my menstruation for many years now. I love it. It's simple and does what I need - keeps track of my cycle and what point of it I'm currently at, and tells me when to expect my next period. It also keeps a graph of how long each cycle is, compared to all the others.
I just heard it's closing down and I should "export my data". No idea how to do that, but that's another question. My question here is, what new site/app should I use that is simple and does the above things?
AND more importantly, I'm hearing we shouldnt even be USING these apps anymore in the light of scary recent attacks on reproductive rights in the United States (where I am). So I'm especialy looking for anonymous/protected sites OR I guess some kind of alternative I could use? I"m not great at forming/keeping up my own spreadsheet or system. I really need something that does it for me.
I've used a period tracker to track my menstruation for many years now. I love it. It's simple and does what I need - keeps track of my cycle and what point of it I'm currently at, and tells me when to expect my next period. It also keeps a graph of how long each cycle is, compared to all the others.
I just heard it's closing down and I should "export my data". No idea how to do that, but that's another question. My question here is, what new site/app should I use that is simple and does the above things?
AND more importantly, I'm hearing we shouldnt even be USING these apps anymore in the light of scary recent attacks on reproductive rights in the United States (where I am). So I'm especialy looking for anonymous/protected sites OR I guess some kind of alternative I could use? I"m not great at forming/keeping up my own spreadsheet or system. I really need something that does it for me.
Another vote for Clue. Their privacy note is basically "yeah, we're not giving your data to ANYONE." I also really like its functionality, and that it is NOT all pink and flowery.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 10:18 AM on September 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Countess Sandwich at 10:18 AM on September 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
The threat model for period apps is retained/sold data making it into the hands of the cops or bounty-seekers in states where that's the enforcement model. It's plausible; app developers sell data and cops buy data all the time.
I encourage you, however, to take a more holistic approach to your online privacy if the threat model I suggested above resonates with you. There's just so many more ways to nab seekers of reproductive health care! Start with one of these:
* https://blog.malwarebytes.com/privacy-2/2022/07/in-post-roe-us-experts-share-how-to-keep-your-data-private/
* https://digitaldefensefund.org/ddf-guides/abortion-privacy
* https://ssd.eff.org/en/playlist/reproductive-healthcare-service-provider-seeker-or-advocate (admittedly intimidating, but pretty comprehensive!)
As for period trackers specifically, I'm not completely sold on the Clue disclosure linked by SeedStitch above. "We won't disclose [your data]" -- okay, but I'd be much happier with a zero-knowledge setup that uses encryption to ensure that they can't disclose even if they want to. Also, what happens to your data if the current developers sell the app, or get taken over by (worst-case) Meta or something like that?
So yeah. Look for an app where unencrypted data exists only on your device. Any data on their servers needs to be encrypted using a secret that you, not they, hold.
posted by humbug at 10:20 AM on September 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
I encourage you, however, to take a more holistic approach to your online privacy if the threat model I suggested above resonates with you. There's just so many more ways to nab seekers of reproductive health care! Start with one of these:
* https://blog.malwarebytes.com/privacy-2/2022/07/in-post-roe-us-experts-share-how-to-keep-your-data-private/
* https://digitaldefensefund.org/ddf-guides/abortion-privacy
* https://ssd.eff.org/en/playlist/reproductive-healthcare-service-provider-seeker-or-advocate (admittedly intimidating, but pretty comprehensive!)
As for period trackers specifically, I'm not completely sold on the Clue disclosure linked by SeedStitch above. "We won't disclose [your data]" -- okay, but I'd be much happier with a zero-knowledge setup that uses encryption to ensure that they can't disclose even if they want to. Also, what happens to your data if the current developers sell the app, or get taken over by (worst-case) Meta or something like that?
So yeah. Look for an app where unencrypted data exists only on your device. Any data on their servers needs to be encrypted using a secret that you, not they, hold.
posted by humbug at 10:20 AM on September 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
Mozilla (where I work) recently did survey on on reproductive health apps as part of our Privacy Not Included series that you might find helpful.
posted by mhoye at 10:44 AM on September 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 10:44 AM on September 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
I use the fertility friend app for this (you can just ignore all the fertility-related fields, unless it's a subject you'd rather not be reminded about). Their privacy policy looks good to me but I'm not sure what you need for that exactly.
posted by randomnity at 10:55 AM on September 12, 2022
posted by randomnity at 10:55 AM on September 12, 2022
The newly announced Apple Watch series 8 claims to be able to track cycles automatically based on body temperature (this watch has not been released/reviewed yet). So if you're looking for something that "does it for you" then you probably can't do better than that, assuming it actually works.
Apple stores health data with end-to-end encryption when it leaves devices, which means that Apple cannot respond to subpoenas for the data even if they want to. humbug's links are good though: privacy is not a magic wand.
posted by caek at 11:05 AM on September 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
Apple stores health data with end-to-end encryption when it leaves devices, which means that Apple cannot respond to subpoenas for the data even if they want to. humbug's links are good though: privacy is not a magic wand.
posted by caek at 11:05 AM on September 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
I've used Spot On, Planned Parenthood's period tracker app. It will predict your cycle but I don't think it does graphs. Here is what PP says about the app regarding privacy.
posted by prewar lemonade at 12:02 PM on September 12, 2022
posted by prewar lemonade at 12:02 PM on September 12, 2022
I've used both Clue & Flo at the same time & their predictions/stats/calendars seem pretty much identical after several years of input. Flo's website emphasizes their privacy policy and security standards.
posted by belladonna at 12:56 PM on September 12, 2022
posted by belladonna at 12:56 PM on September 12, 2022
Maybe I'm too paranoid, but if I were still menstruating I wouldn't trust that information to anybody, regardless of how much protection they claimed to be able to give my privacy. The stakes would be too high to risk even a slipup that had a very slim chance of happening. I'd go back to pencil and paper until the legal landscape started looking better.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:02 PM on September 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:02 PM on September 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
Used Flo, was not impressed by their privacy settings and deleted it in full.
Currently using Euki which was recommended to me by Choices, a reproductive health clinic in Memphis. All data is on the app on your phone, nothing in the cloud. It requires a PIN to access and has a dummy PIN feature that, when entered, gives a false screen. No back end so nothing on the cloud.
Downsides: no prediction features, really only for tracking. No graphs. Not great for fertility tracking if you don’t know what you’re doing.
posted by honeybee413 at 6:54 PM on September 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Currently using Euki which was recommended to me by Choices, a reproductive health clinic in Memphis. All data is on the app on your phone, nothing in the cloud. It requires a PIN to access and has a dummy PIN feature that, when entered, gives a false screen. No back end so nothing on the cloud.
Downsides: no prediction features, really only for tracking. No graphs. Not great for fertility tracking if you don’t know what you’re doing.
posted by honeybee413 at 6:54 PM on September 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm not completely sold on the Clue disclosure linked by SeedStitch above. "We won't disclose [your data]" -- okay, but I'd be much happier with a zero-knowledge setup that uses encryption to ensure that they can't disclose even if they want to.
Just as a data point, I don't even have an account on Clue. They don't have my email or my name and have no idea who I am.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 9:22 PM on September 13, 2022
Just as a data point, I don't even have an account on Clue. They don't have my email or my name and have no idea who I am.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 9:22 PM on September 13, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by SeedStitch at 10:09 AM on September 12, 2022 [9 favorites]