Fitbit, Apple Watch and other wearable devices are a hit among consumers. Fitbit alone has sold more than 40 million activity trackers since the company launched in 2007, and the market for fitness trackers continues to grow. These devices bring convenience and social acceptance to healthy living. People who participate in regular physical activities need data-driven programs that can monitor their progress and help them achieve goals. However, the growing popularity of fitness trackers also poses new risks for users and their unsecured personal information. Here are some dangers of using wearable technology:
You’re giving away your location constantly
Fitness tracker security risk involves sharing of your location details. Fitness trackers leave a digital trail of your location, elevation and movement, which can be helpful in achieving fitness goals, but they can also reveal a lot about someone’s life. When you use a fitness tracker, the device collects a wealth of information about you — your location, movement, and even your temperature. If someone has access to your device — or if you choose to share this information with a friend — they can easily see where you live, when you are home and when you are away.
Fitness tracker data is highly sensitive
Fitness tracker data contains a wealth of sensitive information, including your height, weight, heart rate, body temperature, activity levels and more. This information can be especially dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands. Not only can you be at risk of an intimate partner finding out that you are trying to make a fitness-related change, but fitness trackers can also pose a threat to children. Children are particularly vulnerable to predators, because they are less likely to be aware of their surroundings and are less likely to protect themselves against potential threats.
The software on fitness trackers can be vulnerable to hackers
Besides collecting a wealth of sensitive data, fitness trackers are also vulnerable to hacking. Hackers can use a fitness tracker’s software as a launching point to access sensitive information like passwords or social security numbers. Viruses and malware have also been found in some fitness devices, which can be especially dangerous if a hacker gets access to a child’s device. Not only is hacking a fitness tracker dangerous for the device owner, but it is also a serious security risk for the people who use the device. Hackers can use stolen data to commit identity theft or financial fraud, or they can use the hacked device to track people’s movements.
You don’t know how much information you’re sharing with third parties
When you upload data to a third-party fitness app or website, you don’t typically have control over where that data goes or who sees it. You might upload data to an app that is simply meant for friends and family but that also allows strangers to access the data as well. If you don’t see this information as a privacy concern, you might not consider the implications of sending your fitness data to a third party. Third parties could see your data even if you don’t upload the data to them. Apps often allow you to export your data and share it with others. Fitness apps could export the data you share with them, making it easy for these third parties to access your data.
Conclusion
Fitness trackers are convenient and helpful, but they can also pose many risks for users and their personal information. Consumers should carefully consider the risks before using fitness trackers and selecting options on fitness trackers privacy. People who participate in regular physical activities need data-driven programs that can monitor their progress and help them achieve goals. Fitness trackers fill this need, and they are poised to grow even further thanks to growing interest in health and wellness and the continued improvement of these devices. As with any technology, people should use fitness trackers with caution and be wary of fitness tracker safety. Consumers should carefully consider the risks before using fitness trackers.