Facebook is yet again in the news for all the wrong reasons. Reportedly, several period-tracking apps have been allegedly caught sharing sensitive data of their users with Facebook. The alleged include renowned apps like Maya and MIA Fem. As per the information, the apps have been sharing information related to monthly timings, logged use of contraception, menstruation symptoms, mood, and sexual life to Facebook.
The loophole has been discovered by UK-based advocacy group Privacy International. After studying the programs of several tracking apps thoroughly, the organization noticed that many of them were sharing extensive details about women with Facebook and third parties.
Privacy International also revealed that it was Facebook’s home-nurtured software development kit (SDK) that was being used to collect such information. For the inundated, Facebook’s SDK allows developers to integrate Facebook’s features (such as like/share buttons) into their apps, which was misused in this case.
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It is not an unknown fact that Facebook – using SDK – tracks the app/web activity of users to push targeted ads. The user has to be informed about the data the app will collect from them. But observing the confidential nature of the information, it is shocking to see that apps didn’t seek explicit consent from the users.
Meanwhile, Facebook has accused the tracking apps of misusing its SDK to collect private information on users without their permission.
“Our Terms require the app developer to be clear with their users about the information they are sharing with us and to have a lawful basis for the disclosure and use of data,” the company said.
