Year 2 Student - 2024 Cohort - Cohort 6

I have a Master’s degree in cyber security from the University of Bristol. During my Master’s program, I had a great experience learning from hands-on labs, especially in networking and IoT. My dissertation focused on usability of deletion in smart speakers, which made me very interested in privacy and data deletion. I was also inspired by the professors’ enthusiasm for research. Because of this inspiration, I decided to apply for the CDT program. The CDT program has been very enriching and eye-opening. Through the courses, I have also learned more cutting-edge and wide-ranging knowledge, which has broadened my perspective from technical issues to include more aspects like human and organizational factors. I still care deeply about privacy, but I also hope to explore more research areas during my time in the CDT.

Security, Privacy, and Consent in FemTech Apps

My research focuses on security, privacy, and consent in Female Technology (FemTech) systems, such as period or menopause tracking apps like Flo. FemTech aims to empower women through personalised health insights, but it often collects large amounts of sensitive data, such as information about reproductive health, sexual activity, and mood. These data are sometimes shared with third parties in opaque ways, creating complex data networks where users have little control or understanding. This can lead to privacy risks as well as emotional, social, or even physical safety concerns, especially in sensitive legal or domestic situations.

My research explores why consent mechanisms in FemTech often fail to protect users. I study the technical, design, and transparency barriers that make it hard for users to give meaningful consent. The goal is to expose the gap between what users expect and what actually happens to their data, and to help build safer and more trustworthy digital health systems.

Academic placement with Dr. Kopo Marvin Ramokapane on "Intervention of FemTech Concerning Security, Privacy and Safety"

Industry placement with Ofcom on "How Do Femtech Platforms and AI Chatbots Proliferate Online Harms Against Women and Girls?"

Cheng Cheng and Kopo M. Ramokapane. 2025. Erasing the Echo: The Usability of Data Deletion in Smart Personal Assistants. Proceedings on Privacy Enhancing Technologies 2025, 4 (2025), 76–93. https://doi.org/10.56553/popets-2025-0120

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheng-cheng-595b0b359/