Wearables

Introduction

Wearable technology has exploded in popularity since the introduction of Fitbit in 2009 and the Apple Watch in 2015. These devices track everything from steps and heart rate to sleep patterns and location, promising to help us live healthier lives. However, they also collect unprecedented amounts of intimate health and lifestyle data, raising significant privacy concerns about how this sensitive information is stored, used, and shared.

Providers

Apple Watch

Apple’s wearable emphasizes privacy with on-device processing and encryption, but still collects extensive health and activity data. While Apple claims not to sell this data, it’s stored in iCloud and can be shared with third-party apps. In 2021, the company expanded health tracking features, collecting even more sensitive data like blood oxygen levels.

Fitbit (Google)

After Google’s acquisition in 2021, Fitbit’s privacy policy allows data sharing within Google’s ecosystem. The company collects detailed health metrics, sleep patterns, and location data. Fitbit has faced scrutiny for sharing anonymized user data with researchers and health insurers.

Garmin

Popular among serious athletes, Garmin collects extensive fitness and location data. In 2020, the company suffered a major ransomware attack that exposed how much user data they store. While focusing on fitness, their devices still track significant personal information including heart rate, sleep, and precise GPS locations.

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung’s wearables collect health data and integrate with their broader ecosystem. The company has faced criticism for unclear data sharing practices and potential vulnerabilities in their Tizen operating system, though recent models using Wear OS have improved security.

Recommendations

Choose devices with strong privacy controls and local data processing
Limit data sharing with third-party apps and services
Regularly review and delete accumulated health data
Disable features you don’t actively use, especially GPS tracking
Use privacy-focused alternatives for sensitive health tracking
Be cautious about sharing activity data on social platforms

Actions

Review privacy settings on your wearable device and companion app
Disable unnecessary sensors and tracking features
Delete historical health data you don’t need
Check which third-party apps have access to your health data
Enable two-factor authentication for your device account
Review and adjust activity sharing settings on fitness platforms
Update your device’s firmware to the latest version