Your guide to digital privacy and abortion access

In recent years, our rights to make decisions about our bodies have been challenged. With the latest election, many people are worried about even more restrictions. On top of this, concerns about being watched online and having private messages used in court have become bigger issues.

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Despite these challenges, there are ways you can take to protect your privacy while seeking abortion care. Whether you’re researching your options, getting medication, traveling, or talking with trusted people, there are steps you can take to keep your personal information safe. Even if you live in a state without abortion restrictions, these tips can help protect your privacy.

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This guide offers simple ways to protect your privacy online. No method is perfect, but these steps can help you feel more secure. At Hey Jane, we take our patients' privacy seriously. We operate in states where abortion care remains legal, have secure online forms, and mail treatment in discreet envelopes. If you’re looking for safe and private abortion care, see if you’re eligible here.

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Be careful when discussing an abortion

Choosing to share your abortion experience is deeply personal, and it’s natural to want the support of people you trust. However, it’s also important to consider how sharing this information may affect your privacy. A 2022 study found most abortion cases brought to law enforcement were reported by people close to the person seeking care. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, a man in Texas used private text messages to sue his ex-wife and her friends for discussing abortion pills.

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To protect your privacy, consider sharing your plans to one or two trusted people and meet in person to discuss logistics. For professional support, you can reach out to abortion funds or trusted hotlines like All-Options and Faith Aloud, which offer confidential guidance in addition to other forms of support (including financial assistance). 

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If you do share your story, ensure those you trust will respect your boundaries and protect your privacy. Your care and confidentiality matter.

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Use safe communication tools

Once you know who is safe to include in your abortion experience, you can take steps to keep your conversations private. At Hey Jane, after filling out our secure online form, you’ll connect with us through a private online portal where you can message, call, or video call us securely. Let’s walk through more ways to stay anonymous and connected.

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Use a Google Voice number 

Google Voice lets you make calls and send texts without using your main phone number. Your messages and call history are stored in the Google Voice app instead of your phone's records. If you share a phone plan with someone and want to keep your abortion private, this is a helpful tool.

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Use secure messaging apps

Talking face-to-face is the safest way to protect your privacy. But if you need to use a device, use secure messaging apps with encryption (which hides your messages). Some of the safest options are:

Disable ad identifiers

Your phone or tablet has an "ad identifier" that lets companies track your behavior, location, and more. Turning this off makes it harder for companies to follow your activity and share your information. You can learn how to disable ad identifiers on iOS and Android here.

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Turn off location sharing and your devices “Find My” feature

Both iPhones and Androids have a "Find My" feature that lets others track your location. If you're traveling to get an abortion or medication, or simply don’t want people to see where you are, you may want to turn off this feature to keep your movements private.

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If you’re concerned about someone tracking your location while getting abortion care, an online clinic like Hey Jane might be an option for you. Simply check if you’re eligible and fill out our online form, and consult with a provider within 1 business day depending on how you pay. The medications and providers are the same quality as in-person clinics, but with the added convenience and comfort of being at home. 

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Search online safely

Your search history can leave a digital trail, so it’s important to be careful when looking up information about abortion care. To protect yourself while researching abortion care, choose the right browser, search engine, and take additional steps to add security to your search.

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Start with private browsing modes

When you search, use private or incognito mode to avoid leaving a history. This is useful if you share your device or are worried about someone seeing your search history. However, private mode alone doesn’t prevent websites or your internet service provider from seeing your activity.

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Use privacy-focused browsers and search engines

Opt for browsers (apps used to access the internet) with strong built-in privacy protections:

• Safari (on Apple devices) has advanced anti-tracking features and blocks third-party cookies.
• Firefox offers Enhanced Tracking Protection, which automatically blocks many trackers and third-party cookies.
• Brave goes a step further by blocking ads, cross-site trackers, and fingerprinting scripts by default.

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Whichever browser you choose, ensure privacy settings like cross-site tracking prevention are turned on for maximum protection.Choose a safe search engineUse a search engine (websites used to find information across the web) designed to prioritize privacy, like DuckDuckGo or Brave Search. These tools don’t collect or store your search history, reducing the amount of personal information tied to your activity.Add layers of protectionTo make your online activity even more private, consider:

• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, making it harder for third parties to track your activity.
• Apple’s iCloud Private Relay: If you’re an Apple user, this feature acts like a VPN by encrypting your internet activity and hiding your location.

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Be careful with AI

AI is everywhere now. Many sites use AI to chat or help answer questions, but it can affect your privacy. Cloud-based AI tools learn from the information you share, and companies may sell this data. Be careful with what you share with AI tools, especially personal details. Additionally, AI chatbots are still a work in progress and don’t always give accurate information. If you’re looking for help, check out our Resources page.With the privacy practices outlined in this guide, you can reduce your online footprint and keep your private information secure. For safe and private abortion care (no clinic visit needed), fill out our online form to consult Hey Jane provider in 1 business day. Our trusted team will be with you every step of the way.