Professor Céline Castets-Renard has been awarded funding from the ’s 2025–2026 Contributions Program for a groundbreaking project entitled “Connecting young women, but at what price? FemTech and privacy”.
The project will examine the privacy risks posed by “FemTech” (female technology) mobile applications, such as apps that track menstruation, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. These tools, widely used by Canadian women and girls, encourage users to disclose large amounts of highly sensitive health data. But the privacy policies associated with these apps are frequently vague about how this information is stored, shared, or protected. Moreover, the companies behind many of these apps are based in the United States, and it can be unclear if they are properly respecting Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Professor Castets-Renard will focus the study particularly on young women, including minors, who may be especially vulnerable to exploitation, discrimination, or loss of autonomy if their personal information is misused. By analyzing PIPEDA in comparison with international frameworks such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California’s Consumer Privacy Act, Professor Castets-Renard will assess whether current Canadian protections are adequate and where reforms are urgently needed.
In addition to this legal analysis, the project will also undertake a series of education and awareness initiatives targeting young women, helping them better understand their rights and the potential risks of using FemTech applications. It will also make policy recommendations to Canadian legislators, building on previous, unsuccessful attempts to modernize PIPEDA (Bill C-11 in 2020 and Bill C-27 in 2022).
This research stands to fill an important gap, as there has been no systematic study of how FemTech apps are affecting women in Canada. The project will contribute to Canada’s ongoing efforts to safeguard privacy in a digital age where smart devices are increasingly woven into daily life.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Contributions Program supports independent research that sheds light on emerging privacy issues and helps Canadians make informed choices about how their personal information is used. This year, focus on the theme
Congratulations to Professor Castets-Renard!