In the digital age, where every online search leaves a trace, ensuring privacy while seeking reproductive health information has never been more crucial. Recognizing this, MSI Reproductive Choices and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have teamed up to launch the Vagina Privacy Network (VPN), an initiative designed to safeguard personal data.
MSI Reproductive Choices is committed to providing and advocating for abortion and contraception services across 36 countries and six continents, supporting over 93,000 people daily in making informed reproductive choices. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, founded in 1990, champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation in the digital world through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and technology development.
Accessing information about abortion care or other reproductive health services can often leave a digital trail, exposing sensitive personal information. The Vagina Privacy Network aims to provide users with the tools and knowledge needed to protect their privacy, ensuring that your body remains your business and no one else’s. It offers a comprehensive guide to help individuals maintain their digital anonymity. Eva Galperin, Director of Cybersecurity at the EFF, played a key role in developing these privacy protocols.
First, using a secure web browser is essential. EFF recommends privacy-focused browsers that go beyond the standard ‘incognito mode,’ ensuring that searches remain confidential. This is particularly important when searching for local resources, as standard browsing can inadvertently reveal the location. Communication is another area where privacy can be compromised. Apps like Signal, which offer encrypted messaging, are far more secure than standard text messages, emails, or social media direct messages. Enabling features such as ‘disappearing messages’ can add an extra layer of protection. Smartphones could also be a privacy risk. Many apps collect data continuously, and some period tracking apps are particularly intrusive. Deleting unnecessary apps can minimize this risk. Payment methods are another potential vulnerability. Transactions made with checks, credit, or debit cards can be tracked. To maintain privacy, using cash or a pre-paid card for reproductive care services can be a safer option
Awareness of reproductive rights is vital. The landscape of reproductive care laws is constantly shifting, especially in the United States, where state-specific laws are rapidly evolving. A global map of abortion laws is available to help users understand their rights, and an overview of U.S. state laws can provide up-to-date information on local regulations.
