Security News > 2023 > January > Period-tracking apps, search engines on notice by draft law

A bill proposed by Washingston state lawmakers would make it illegal for period-tracking apps, Google or any other website to sell consumers' health data while also making it harder for them to collect and share this personal information.

Washington Representative Vandana Slatter, a Democrat, introduced House Bill 1155 [PDF], the My Health, My Data Act, in response to the US Supreme Court ruling last year to overturn Roe v. Wade, which removed constitutional rights to abortion.

"It's long overdue that we have increased data protections for our most sensitive health data, and it's taken on an increased urgency in a post-Dobbs world," Slatter told The Register.

In addition to blocking websites and apps from collecting and sharing private health information without written permission, the bill would also ban the use of geofences - using a mobile device's location to send unsolicited messages and ads to people at health facilities.

The bill would give consumers the right to withdraw consent at any time, demand that websites and apps delete their health data, and get prompt answers about whether the business is collecting or sharing this type of private information and with whom.

"With the significant growth in the use of tracking apps, online chats, social media and search engines for accessing healthcare information, advice and research, these protections for sensitive health data are long overdue," said Sen. Manka Dhingra, the sponsor of the companion bill, in a statement.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/01/18/washington_period_tracking_apps/