On December 18th 2025, Ius Omnibus successfully held a special international event in Madrid focused on privacy and accountability in the FemTech industry in Europe. The conference was organized with the support of the Digital Freedom Fund (DFF) and in collaboration with Suderow Fernández Abogadas SLP Law Firm and the Instituto de Derecho Europeo e Integración Regional of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
The event brought together government representatives, consumer associations, experts in digital rights, gender studies, data protection, privacy law, and EU regulation to examine the widespread risks posed by FemTech applications and platforms. Discussions highlighted how many FemTech services unlawfully process sensitive personal data, often without users’ informed consent, and the disproportionate impact these practices have on women and gender-diverse individuals.
Throughout the day, speakers addressed key challenges related to data protection compliance, transparency, accountability, and enforcement gaps in the FemTech sector. Particular attention was given to the use of tracking technologies unique identifiers and the use of dark patterns in health-related apps, as well as to the interaction between the GDPR, the Digital Services Act, and consumer protection law.
The conference also served as a platform to raise awareness among women and FemTech users about their digital rights and the risks associated with intimate data collection. Participants engaged in a constructive dialogue on the interaction between fundamental rights such as the right to privacy, the right to data protection and the specific safeguards that EU law provides for special categories of data, including health and sexual life, as well as the particular vulnerabilities of minors online.
Opening remarks were delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the Secretary of State, from the Spanish Ministry of Equality, and the Manager of Ius Omnibus, setting the tone for a day of in-depth debate and exchange.
The event concluded with a shared recognition of the urgent need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, user-centred design, and rights-based approaches in the development and deployment of FemTech applications across Europe.
Data protection must be guaranteed throughout Europe and examples from other EU Member States will help streamline effective remedies and promote good practices in the industry.