Privacy in Wearable Technology: What You Need to Know

Wearable devices collect intimate health data. Understanding privacy implications is crucial for making informed decisions.

What Data Do Wearables Collect?

Biometric Data

• Heart rate and heart rate variability
• Sleep patterns and quality
• Body temperature
• Blood oxygen levels
• Respiratory rate
• Menstrual cycle data

Activity Data

• Steps, distance, and calories
• Exercise types and duration
• GPS location during activities
• Movement patterns throughout the day

Personal Information

• Age, height, weight, gender
• Email address and account details
• Payment information (for subscriptions)
• Social connections within the app

How Is Your Data Used?

Primary Uses

Companies use your data to provide health insights, improve algorithms, and personalize recommendations. This is generally covered in the terms of service you agree to.

Secondary Uses

Some companies aggregate and anonymize data for research purposes or share it with third parties. This varies significantly by company.

Privacy Concerns

Data Breaches

Health data is valuable to hackers. Several wearable companies have experienced breaches exposing user data.

Third-Party Sharing

Some companies share data with advertisers, insurance companies, or research institutions. Always read the privacy policy.

Government Access

In some jurisdictions, health data can be subpoenaed. Wearable data has been used in legal cases.

Protecting Your Privacy

Before Purchase

• Read the privacy policy thoroughly
• Research the company's data practices
• Check if data is encrypted
• Understand data retention policies

After Setup

• Minimize data sharing in settings
• Disable unnecessary features
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Regularly review connected apps and services

Ongoing Practices

• Periodically review privacy settings
• Delete old data you don't need
• Monitor for suspicious account activity
• Stay informed about company policy changes

Company Comparison

Strong Privacy Practices

Oura: End-to-end encryption, minimal third-party sharing, GDPR compliant
Garmin: Data stored locally on device when possible, clear privacy controls

Concerning Practices

Some companies share data with numerous third parties, have vague privacy policies, or have experienced multiple data breaches.

Your Rights

Under GDPR (Europe)

• Right to access your data
• Right to delete your data
• Right to data portability
• Right to opt-out of certain processing

Under CCPA (California)

• Right to know what data is collected
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of data sales
• Right to non-discrimination

Conclusion

While wearables provide valuable health insights, they require sharing intimate personal data. Choose companies with strong privacy practices and take steps to protect your information.