Many health and fitness apps are free, offering rewards for meeting fitness goals. But this convenience comes at a cost: access to your personal and health data. This article explores the privacy risks associated with fitness apps, including data sharing with third parties like insurance companies and the potential for data breaches. It also offers tips on how to minimize these risks while still enjoying the benefits of fitness programs.
Getting a free smoothie for exercising regularly may sound like a nice reward, but what about the privacy risks of fitness apps?
This data is valuable to third parties for a number of reasons. “Firstly, insurers might want to analyse this data to generate risk scores, which aim to predict potential illnesses and behaviours for individuals.” This could have a material impact on you financially if your insurance premium increases, for instance, or you’re no longer eligible for certain benefits.
She recommends reviewing the app’s data policy. “Understand what data they collect, how it’s used, and who it’s shared with,” she advises. “Look for terms regarding third-party sharing or the right to sell data.” If you’re uncomfortable with any of the terms, you can opt out of the app entirely or only fill in the fields that are required to remain part of the program.
HEALTH APPS PRIVACY RISKS DATA COLLECTION FITNESS PROGRAMS USER RIGHTS
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