comparisons

Natural Cycles vs Stardust: Data Practices Compared

Natural Cycles is a GDPR-covered Swedish medical device. Stardust is a US app that updated its privacy practices after 2022 scrutiny. Here's what each does with

Natural Cycles and Stardust approached each other on the competitive map post Dobbs — both positioned as alternatives to surveillance heavy mainstream apps. Their actual data practices are quite different. Natural Cycles: Regulated Medical Device Data Practices Natural Cycles occupies an unusual position: it's a FDA cleared medical device (Class II, contraceptive) and an EU incorporated company subject to GDPR. This dual regulatory status means its data practices are constrained by both: FDA medical device requirements: As a cleared contraceptive device, Natural Cycles must maintain specific records, cannot make unsupported efficacy claims, and is subject to FDA post market surveillance. This doesn't directly govern data privacy but creates accountability around product claims. GDPR (Sweden/EU): Health data processed by Natural Cycles is special category data requiring explicit consent. Users have access, correction, and deletion rights. Data transfers to non EU countries (including the US) require adequate protections. Data can only be used for the purposes users consented to. What Natural Cycles has stated: Does not sell user data Does not use health data for advertising Processe