Sex lives of app users 'shared with Facebook'

PI studied a range of period-tracking apps to see exactly what information was shared with the social network. Sharing to Facebook happens via the social network's software development kit, tools that can be used by apps to help them make money by reaching advertisers who, in turn, provide users with personalised ads. PI found the most popular apps in this category - Period Tracker, Period Track Flo and Clue Period Tracker did not share data with Facebook. PI said: "The wide reach of the apps that our research has looked at might mean that intimate details of the private lives of millions of users across the world are shared with Facebook and other third parties without those users' free unambiguous and informed or explicit consent, in the case of sensitive personal data, such as data relating to a user's health or sex life." Facebook has announced it will launch a tool for users to stop apps and businesses sharing their data with the social network.

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