Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025
05:51
Assessing the Accuracy of Fitness Smartwatch Data for Cardiovascular and Physical Activity Monitoring: A Validation Study in Digital Health
Published on: February 21, 2025
954
Do You Know Who Is Talking to Your Wearable Smartband?
Andrei Kazlouski1,2, Thomas Marchioro1,2, Harry Manifavas1,2
1Computer Science Department, University of Crete, Greece.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|November 23, 2020
Summary
Seven fitness trackers and their smartphone apps were studied. Results indicate some share user data with unexpected third parties like social networks and advertisers, potentially compromising personal information.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Computer Science
- Data Privacy
Background:
- Fitness trackers collect sensitive user data.
- The data sharing practices of these devices are not always transparent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the data sharing practices of popular fitness trackers and their associated smartphone applications.
- To identify third parties with which these devices communicate.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of network traffic from seven fitness trackers and their companion apps.
- Identification of all external domains and services contacted by the applications.
Main Results:
- Communication with unexpected third parties was observed in some fitness trackers.
- These third parties include social networks, advertising platforms, weather services, and external APIs.
- Potential for sensitive user data to be accessed by these third parties.
Conclusions:
- Fitness tracker data sharing practices may pose privacy risks.
- Users should be aware of potential data leakage to third parties.
- Further research is needed to ensure user data protection in wearable technology.
