Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Legal concerns have prompted the retraction of a smartphone application designed to anonymously gather users' sexual behavior - for one possible example, the results of their STD tests.
Although USA Today reports that the providers of the app - the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction and Indiana University - have opted to scrutinize issues relating to the app's privacy and data security, they said they had good intentions going into the project.
"People are natural observers. It's part of being social, and using mobile apps is an excellent way to involve citizen scientists," said Julia Heiman, director of Kinsey Institute, in a retracted news release from Indiana University. "We expect to get new insights into sexuality and relationships today. What do people notice, what are they involved in, and what can they relate to us about their lives and their communities?"
The app was intended to compile data on fetishes, flirting, masturbation, oral sex, information related to STD tests, condom use and sexual violence. The information could be disseminated without a consent form, but the researchers say the app would only mark the geographic location of the report, not the individual user.
Indiana University spokesman Mark Land said in a statement that the app could be made available again once they're no longer concerned about its legality.
Related Articles from Private MD:
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I Allergy Testing Anemia and RBC disorders Autoimmune Diseases Bariatric Lab Testing Blood and Blood Diseases Breast Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers Celiac Disease Testing Chlamydia Coagulation and blood clotting disorders Colon Diabetes DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing Drug Screening Environmental Toxin Testing Female Specific Tests Gastrointestinal Diseases General Health General Wellness Heart Health and Cholesterol Herpes HIV HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos Hormones and Metabolism Infectious Diseases Infertility Testing-Male Infertitlity Hormone Testing Kidney Diseases Leukemia and WBC disorders Liver Liver Diseases Lyme Disease Male Specific Tests Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis Musculoskeletal Diseases Nicotine Screening Organ Specific Testing Ovarian Prostate Prostate Sexually Transmitted Diseases Thyroid Diseases Transgender Hormone Testing-female to male Transgender Hormone Testing-Male to Female Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and TreatmentVisit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Back to topYour 24/7 Personal Lab Guide
Quick questions:
Log in