Lack of Regulations Puts Users at Risk in Fast-Growing FemTech IndustryExperts Uncover Security and Privacy Risks in Popular FemTech Products

A Group of Experts Uncover Concerning Issues Surrounding FemTech

A group of experts from Royal Holloway, University of London, Newcastle University, University of London, and ETH Zurich have recently uncovered concerning issues surrounding FemTech. This term refers to a collection of digital technologies focused on women's health and well-being, including apps, software, and wearable devices.

These technologies pose significant threats to users' security, privacy, and safety.

Access to Personal Information and Lack of Regulations

One of the main concerns is the access of personal information by these apps and IoT devices. This includes sensitive data such as medical scans, as well as personal contacts, cameras, microphones, and location. The researchers found that this data can be shared with third parties, exposing users to potential risks.

The study also highlights the lack of adequate regulations for FemTech in the UK, EU, and Switzerland. The current regulations do not specifically address the risks associated with these technologies, leaving users vulnerable to data breaches and other privacy violations. The authors are calling on policymakers to update and strengthen guidelines to ensure the development and use of secure, private, and safe FemTech products.

The Growing Market for FemTech

The market for FemTech is estimated to reach over $75 billion by 2025. However, the industry's compliance practices were found to be non-compliant with existing regulations. The team identified several inappropriate security and privacy practices, such as collecting and sharing sensitive data without proper consent. Additionally, many of these systems do not brand as medical devices and do not provide extra protection for sensitive data.

The Need for Guidelines

The research also revealed a lack of guidelines for developing cyber-secure, privacy-preserving, and safe FemTech products. Dr. Maryam Mehrnezhad, the lead author of the study and Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, stated that there are multiple threat actors interested in FemTech data, such as fertility and sex information. Professor Mike Catt of Newcastle University, one of the study authors, emphasized the need for regulatory bodies to update and strengthen guidelines to ensure the development and use of secure, private, and safe FemTech products.

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