San Diego – Two San Diego County regulators are calling on the county to join efforts to help the federal government protect data related to reproductive health.

Congressman Sarah Jacobs introduced the bill titled, My Body My Data last month. Jacobs said your reproductive health information could be sold to the highest bidder, handed over to the government, and weaponized against you. .

San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas and Supervisor Terra Lawson Reamer said they strongly support the national effort and will implement it in San Diego. Reproductive health information can lead to prosecution and arrest.

Vargas points out:This is very gender specific, right? This is peculiar to women and what it means to them. ”

Millions of women use apps to track their monthly cycles and fertility, and enter highly sensitive personal health information.

“Personally, it’s a very powerful tool. And now this tool can be weaponized against you,” Vargas said.

Abortion isn’t federally protected, according to Vargas and Lawson-Remer, so searching Google or using apps can raise questions about reproductive health.

“Unfortunately, today the data is owned by the companies, and they can sell it or share it.There are no restrictions,” said Lawson-Remer.

Just last week, a Nebraska woman was indicted for helping her teenage daughter get an illegal abortion after detectives saw a Facebook message.

Lawson Reamer said, “I’ve said time and time again how important the right to privacy is to us here in San Diego County.

As such, the two supervisors are asking the Supervisory Board to endorse the My Body, My Data Act and help it pass nationwide.

“What we are trying to do is ensure that the information cannot be sold and used to prosecute individuals who are just living their lives.

• Limit the personal reproductive and sexual health data that we may collect, retain, use, or disclose to only that necessary to provide our products or services.

• Protect personal data collected by entities not currently covered by HIPAA, such as data collected by apps, mobile phones, and search engines.

• Requires regulated entities to create and share a privacy policy outlining how reproductive health information about individuals is collected, retained, used, and disclosed.

• Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce the law and make rules to enforce the law.

• Create a private right of action that allows individuals to hold regulated entities accountable for their violations.

• Provides additional consumer protections, including the right to access or delete personal data if individuals choose.

• Include a No-Preemptive Clause Allowing States to Further Protect Reproductive and Sexual Health Privacy

Related video: California doesn’t track abortion data, but out-of-state patient influx expected (June 2022).