Is health data from period-tracking apps protected under HIPAA? [Video]

HIPAA applies to covered entities, like health care providers that conduct electronic transactions — not the vast majority of apps that track periods and pregnancy.

Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

That same day, a viral post on X warned that some of the personal data shared on apps that track menstrual cycles and pregnancy could potentially be used against people seeking an abortion in the United States.

“IMMEDIATELY STOP USING PERIOD AND PREGNANCY TRACKERS IN THE US. DONT PUT IN ANOTHER PIECE OF DATA. DELETE IT,” said an X post with over 10 million views.

Similar warnings circulated online when Roe v. Wade, a decades-old decision that federally protected abortion access in the U.S., was overturned by the Supreme Court on June 24, 2022.