Wearables have become an integral part of our lives, providing real-time insights into physical activity, sleep patterns, heart rate, or stress levels. Anyone using fitness tracker knows there is an inherent risk of data privacy. A critical ethical issue surrounding health and fitness tracking wearable digital health technology revolves around the collection and storage of data. These devices, while tracking and monitoring personal health metrics like heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns, amass a substantial volume of personal data.
Fitness wearables do have many benefits, but they do raise concern regarding the safeguarding of the data privacy. It’s very important to see that there is no data theft as that is a major concern
How do fitness trackers collect data?
The fitness wearable use individual-specific details like sleep pattern, eating pattern, body temperature, BMI, heart rate fitness activities. As we fill all the information they have everything from names, ages, contact details, and where is the user from.
They take users personal information: names, ages, contact details, and demographic information. Even credit card information is a part of data collection. GPS gives precise geolocation data during workouts, capturing and storing information, including home addresses and running routes. The data collected extends beyond mere fitness activities, posing an increased risk in case of a data breach. Despite the awareness of data being gathered, used, and sometimes shared beyond the initial health optimization purpose, users continue using these trackers.
Giving data to wearables is risky
Let’s delve into the potential risks in using these wearables \
Personal information at risk
In today’s business landscape, data functions as a valuable currency. Companies exert relentless efforts to acquire it. When using a wearable device with an installed app on your smartphone, you inadvertently grant easy access to your data to the companies who are by these companies.
Fitness app are like a personal wallet and if not secured cab be exploited in various ways.
No proper security protocols
There are no protocols that has to be followed and that is risky as can leak personal data. With the network that has no security, low grade encryption, and old apps make you vulnerable to attackers.
Lack of transparency
There is no clear rules that provides satisfaction to users that their data is secure and is correctly used. There should be transparency where the manufacturers and developers need to prioritize clear communication about the data these devices collect, store, and utilise.
Lack of legal guidelines
Fitness trackers collect everything from health, wellness and activity activity related data. How this data is used is not properly shown or explained to the users. Many users are completely in dark about how their information is collected, the methods used for data storage, or how the data is utilized.
Measures to counter privacy risk
If one takes specific measures, they can be prepared for uncertain emergency.
Always read and review privacy policy before clicking “I Agree”.
Using robust password can protect against breaches. Consider using a password manager for managing numerous secure combinations.
Modify privacy setting to ensure limited data sharing. Choose whom to share your data with.
Keep your apps continuously refined by enabling auto-updates.
How to protect fitness devices
There are ways in which one can protect their fitness devices against potential security threats:
Always update the software so that it fixes vulnerabilities identified by device engineers.
Limiting connectivity, check and turn off by reviewing and turning off needless wireless connections minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and potential manipulation of health-related devices.
Wearable companies do not come under HIPAA jurisdiction, empowering them to sell user data. It becomes important for the users to review and understand the privacy policies before agreeing to any terms and conditions of the device
Wearable digital health technology shows a lot of promise, but ethical usage of the data becomes pivotal. The misuse of personal health data creates serious privacy vulnerabilities. With the ever-expanding usage of the wearables, it becomes extremely important to safeguard user privacy and embedding strong ethical standards is more critical than ever.
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