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Cycle tracking is a feature built into the Apple Health app, and there are plenty of reasons why it shouldn’t be handed over to third-party data brokers. Here’s how to control the privacy of your health data.
Apple hosts a lot of sensitive information within the cycle tracking feature in the Health app. Data points such as tracked menstrual cycles, pregnancy test results, and other personal data can be found in the cycle tracking section.
This information is highly sensitive and should not be freely shared with third parties without express permission. Check the following menus on iPhone to make sure you are in control of your data.
Control access to data in the Health app
Apps and devices can only access the Health app with your permission, but it’s a good idea to check if old apps are still unable to access data. Unused apps on the iPhone can still update and sync internal databases to the cloud using background processes.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down to Health and tap it.
- Select Data access and devices†
- Verify that all apps and devices listed are expected and tap each app to see what data they can access.
Within each of these app menus is a list of “read” or “write” options. If an app has “read” permissions to data, it can open, download, and sync it for its own use. The “write” permission allows apps to add data to the Health app.
The read and write access is necessary for apps to function, so there is no need to disable these switches. Users need to understand each app’s access and how their data is used when giving ‘read’ permissions.
To keep data on-device and private, disable ‘read’ permissions for any sensitive data point you don’t want to share.
Apps explain whether shared data goes to third parties
The list of devices should show every iPhone or Apple Watch that has ever been connected to Apple Health. This list is maintained for historical data within the Health app. Only revoke access from unknown devices or you risk losing historical data.
There are other locations to view the app’s data access, but it should be identical to the one in the Health Settings menu. For peace of mind, users can monitor any location.
The Privacy & Security section in Settings also has a Health option. Go here to see the same app list for third-party read/write access.
The Health app also has a lot of switches and the actual bike tracking section. Navigate through these menus to learn more about the app and how Apple collects and protects user data.
In the Health app, tap the user profile in the top right corner, then tap apps for another iterative list of apps with data access. However, at the bottom of the profile menu is a helpful link to learn more about managing health data.
Control overall app tracking
App tracking transparency requires apps to request permission before using trackers to track users across the web and in an app. Disabling it for apps, especially health-focused bike tracking apps, can help preserve user privacy.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down to Privacy and Security and tap it.
- tap on follow†
- Disable individual app permissions to track.
- Or, to deny all apps permission, disable the Allow apps to request tracking
Apple says the user is in control of the data
Each user must decide what data to share with their iPhone and how to use it. Apple says the data is safe, and if users want to avoid third-party apps, data can be manually captured in the Health app.
You remain in control of which Health app features you use, such as Health Records, Cycle Tracking, and Sleep. You can enable and disable the features available in the Health app at any time by tapping the Browse tab and then the health category you want to enable or disable. Certain health features may use your region to determine feature availability.