questionnaires

Is My Period App Asking Too Much?

Use this permission and account self-check to see whether your period app asks for more data than it needs.

Period apps often ask for more than period dates. Some ask for an account. Some ask for location. Some ask to sync with health hubs. Some ask to track you across apps.

That matters because privacy failures have already been documented. The FTC alleged that Flo shared users' health data with Facebook, Google, and analytics providers after privacy promises. The FTC also charged Premom's developer with deceiving users by sharing sensitive personal information with third parties. This self check turns those failures into settings you can review on your own phone.

This self check helps you decide if the request matches the job.

Keep score as you go.

0 points: low concern 1 point: check the setting 2 points: strong warning

Question 1: Does the app require an account?

0 points: No account is needed. 1 point: Account is optional. 2 points: Account is required before you can track.

Why it matters: an account can tie cycle data to your email, phone number, or social login.

Question 2: Does the app ask for location?

0 points: It never asks. 1 point: It asks, but the feature is optional. 2 points: It asks without a clear reason.

Basic cycle tracking does not need your location.

Question 3: Does it ask for contacts?

0 points: It never asks. 1 point: It asks only for a sharing feature you use. 2 points: It asks even though you do not use sharing.

Contacts can reveal people close to you. A period tracker should not need them for a calendar.

Question 4: Does it ask for Apple Health, Health Connect, or Google Fit?

0 points: It does not ask. 1 point: It asks for narrow read or write access. 2 points: It asks for broad health access.

Health access can move cycle data between apps. Use the phone period data audit if you are unsure what is turned on.

Question 5: Does it ask to track you across apps?

0 points: It does not ask. 1 point: It asks and you denied it. 2 points: It asks and pushes you to allow it.

Ad tracking does not help you know when your period may start.

Question 6: Does it sync to the cloud by default?

0 points: No cloud sync. 1 point: Cloud sync is optional and clear. 2 points: Cloud sync is required or hard to turn off.

Cloud sync can help with backup. It also creates a server copy. Read how period tracker apps collect data if you want the full model.

Question 7: Does it show private text in notifications?

0 points: Notifications are off or vague. 1 point: You can hide details. 2 points: It shows clear period or fertility text by default.

Lock screen text can be seen by someone near you.

Question 8: Does it make deletion easy?

0 points: Delete account and export data are easy to find. 1 point: One of those options is hard to find. 2 points: You cannot find either option.

You should be able to leave without guessing.

Question 9: Does it ask for intimate details you do not use?

0 points: You can skip optional fields. 1 point: It asks but does not require them. 2 points: It pressures you to fill them in.

Symptom notes, sex logs, mood notes, and pregnancy intent can be sensitive. Only enter what you need.

Question 10: Does the app explain why it needs each data type?

0 points: The app explains requests in plain words. 1 point: Some requests are explained. 2 points: The app gives vague or no reasons.

Clear asks build trust. Vague asks should slow you down.

Add your score

Add the points from all 10 questions.

This is a practical settings check, not a legal, medical, or security risk score. Use the result to pick your next action.

0 to 4: Few settings to review

The app asks for little data, or you have turned off most access. Still check your settings every few months.

Next step: use the period app privacy audit checklist.

5 to 10: Review soon

The app may be asking for more than you need. Review permissions. Turn off sync and access you do not use. Export data you want to keep.

Next step: read the period app privacy red flags.

11 to 16: Audit before adding more data

The app has several risk signs. Do a full audit before you keep using it. Check account deletion, health hub access, cloud sync, and notification previews.

Next step: review what a zero knowledge period tracker means.

17 to 20: Leave plan needed

The app asks for a lot of data or makes control hard. Export what you need. Delete what you can. Consider moving to local tracking.

Next step: use the full phone period data audit.

A simple rule

If a period app asks for data, the request should pass this test:

What feature needs this? Can I use the app without it? Can I turn it off later? Can I delete data already shared?

If you cannot answer those questions, pause before adding more data.

Where Floriva fits

Floriva is built around a smaller ask. For basic tracking, it does not require a cloud account and does not need broad health hub sync. That makes the privacy audit shorter.

You still own the choice. The right app is the one whose data asks you can understand.