Protecting Privacy In The Digitalisation Of Reproductive Healthcare

Concerning news from the US about the restriction of the right to abortion have made many reconsider their engagement with platforms processing health data. Here, we provide an overview of our research findings on the intersection of privacy and sexual and reproductive health.

Digital health apps of all kinds are being used by people to better understand their bodies, their fertility, and to access health information. But there are concerns that the information people both knowingly and unknowing provide to the app, which can be very personal health information, can be exploited in unexpected ways.

Short Message Services (SMS) are being used in MHealth initiatives which aim to deliver crucial information to expecting and new mothers. But there are concerns that there is limited transparency about numerous aspects of SMS health services, and how the data is being processed, by whom and in accordance to what safeguards.

In this piece we outline the main discussions and measures we need to see being systematically adopted to inform decision-making about digital solutions in the health sector, and provide examples of where these were not integrated in decision-making processes and with what consequences.

Governments have been digitising their health systems and, more broadly, healthcare. We provide an overview of what digital health initiatives have been rolled out, for what purpose, where and by who, as well as some of the concerns they raise for the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, telemedicine experienced a global boost. Post-pandemic, the telemedicine industry has been valued at a quarter trillion dollars. However, there are issues, ranging from lack of clear guidelines, lack of training for providers, and issues of connectivity, to costs for patients, the remote care being covered by insurance, that providers must understand prior to deploying telemedicine solutions.

If you’re in the UK you may know Bounty as the company that distribute packs of samples to pregnant women at midwife appointments. They’re also the ones that were found to have illegally shared the data of over 14 million mums & babies with 39 companies.

This country case-study was informed by research carried out by Coding Rights (Laura Alonso and Joana Varon).

This country case-study was informed by research authored by Tasneem Mewa, and edited by Ambika Tandon and Aayush Rathi at the Centre for Internet and Society.

This country case-study was informed by research carried out by KELIN.

This country case-study was informed by research carried out by Paz Peña.

This country case-study was informed by research carried out by the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (Elsam).

This country case-study was informed by research carried out by Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia Y Género (ELA)

This country case-study was informed by research carried out by Hiperderecho.

This Privacy International report documents 10 data exploitative technologies and tactics being developed to delay or curtail access to reproductive healthcare globally.

CIS, PI's partner in India, posits health monitoring as surveillance and not merely as a “data problem.”

PI calls on UN Committee to look into the nature of Heartbeat International’s activities in countries it will review.

Spotlight on PI's Reproductive Rights and Privacy Project!