Once upon a time, period tracking was a personal thing. You might’ve marked a red dot in a paper planner, or later, tapped it into an app so you wouldn’t be caught off guard. Fast forward to now, and tracking your cycle has gone from personal to political, especially in a post-Roe world.
So, how did something as routine as logging your period become a privacy battleground? And what does it mean for people in Canada?
Let’s unpack it.
The Rise (and Risk) of Period Apps
Period tracking apps exploded in popularity over the past decade, with millions of people using them to plan pregnancies, manage PMS, monitor PCOS, or simply understand their bodies better.
But after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S. and the resulting crackdown on abortion access, something shifted. People began asking:
"What happens to my data if abortion becomes illegal?"
"Can this app be used to track or criminalize my reproductive choices?"
Unfortunately, the concern isn’t far-fetched. In the U.S., digital data (including from apps) has already been used as evidence in criminal cases. Even though this isn’t currently the case in Canada, it raises a bigger question:
Who owns your reproductive data and what are they doing with it?
What This Means for Canadians
You might think: Well, I’m in Canada. Abortion is legal here. I’m safe. And yes, Canada has more protected access to reproductive care than many parts of the world. But we’re not immune to shifts in policy, surveillance trends, or the global tech economy.
Many popular period apps are owned by companies based in the U.S. or other countries with different privacy laws and while some are transparent about their practices, others aren’t.
That’s why digital self-advocacy matters, because privacy is part of reproductive freedom.
What You Can Do
Here are a few ways to protect yourself and stay informed while still reaping the benefits of cycle tracking:
🔒 Read the privacy policy (yes, really). Look for apps that don’t sell your data or that offer encrypted, locally stored information.
📱 Use apps with anonymous mode or those that don’t require an account login.
📝 Go analog. Some folks are going back to good ol’ notebooks or printable cycle charts.
🧠 Know your rights. Stay informed on local legislation and how digital data is treated in reproductive contexts.
🩸 Use an app you can trust. Read Your Body is our personal fave, they are the most private and customizable menstrual cycle charting app.
Conclusion
Period tracking is a powerful tool. It can help you understand your body, time your cycle, and spot irregularities early. But like any tool, it should work for you, not against you.