Experts call for NHS period tracking app amid data privacy concerns

Private menstrual tracking apps are collecting highly sensitive health data and selling it at scale, posing risks ranging from cyberstalking to workplace and insurance discrimination, according to a new report from the University of Cambridge. With femtech projected to top £44 billion globally by 2027, researchers say the financial value of this data is vastly underestimated by users—and the regulatory gap is growing.

The report urges public health bodies like the NHS to develop their own non-commercial alternatives, offering transparent consent and stronger protections. Without intervention, women’s reproductive data may continue to be treated as a commodity, rather than protected health information.

Explore the full story to see why femtech governance is becoming a priority in health and safety leadership.