FemTech, Menstrual Health and Capitalism with Laura Shipp
In this episode, Hannah is joined by Laura Shipp, who is a doctoral researcher in cybersecurity and FemTech. Hannah and Laura talk about the FemTech industry, capitalism and healthcare, our thoughts on period tracking apps, what it means for our privacy and data when it comes to sensitive information, gender inclusivity with some of these apps and services, as well as who ultimately has access to them, and who is being left behind.
CW: brief mention of sexual assault
Read the episode transcript here!
SHOWNOTES
What we chat about…
What's Laura's research into period tracking apps about?
What's the bigger picture of the FemTech industry?
Who is generating FemTech apps? What social capital do they have?
The focus on the founders of FemTech apps
FemTech being designed to fill a lack of information about women's health
Are the NHS and other healthcare systems trying to catch up with FemTech?
What are some of the really good things about FemTech?
FemTech branding
"Femvertising"
How do we balance celebrating that feminist values have mainstream commercial appeal with cynicism and questioning capitalism?
Who's getting left out of FemTech?
The data and privacy elements of menstrual tracking apps
How will the consequences of menstrual app privacy policies affect us in day to day life?
Limited datasets shaping healthcare
Cycle tracking apps that take into consideration birth control and no period (21:46)
What direction do you expect FemTech to go in the next few years? (23:03)
Your thoughts on OvuSense's vagina BBT thermometer? (25:36)
The potential consequences of body technology being hacked
What's the most egregious example of algorithm or data-coding misogyny that you've encountered? (29:23)
How do you see datasets being more inclusive to genders outside of the binary? (31:26)
How do we feel about companies having lists and data on people's gender and sexuality (which are protected characteristics in the UK)?
Agreeing to terms and conditions
Who are FemTech companies accountable to?
FemTech data accountability
What are some of your favourite FemTech companies that are doing some good stuff? (38:06)
USEFUL LINKS
MORE ABOUT LAURA SHIPP
LAURA SHIPP is a doctoral researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her research focuses on period-tracking apps, Femtech and the ways people are using these emerging technologies. It is based in the disciplines of cyber security and geography and asks questions about what a feminist version of cyber security could look like. She is a self-proclaimed period nerd and likes cycling and hunting for sea glass.
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