In the News
Smartwatches and fitness trackers have brought the world of fitness and physical training into the digital age. In Fitbit OS 3.0 brings more third-party app support, including Couch to 5K, Natt Garun at The Verge discusses an update for certain Fitbit devices that will create more options and more natural use for consumers. Garun explains that apps that help track personal health, as well as fitness, will be integrated into the devices.
Our Take
Making fitness and health a priority is essential and using a smart device to reach these goals is a growing trend in our society. There are many different brands of fitness trackers and fitness related smart devices, all of which target a specific audience and set of health needs. As with all smart devices, researching to make sure that you are purchasing a secure and reputable device is crucial to protecting the information stored on these devices. Additionally, only store information on these devices that you will use and need regularly. Especially with health-related personal information, if you do not need to share it or save it in a digital app, don’t. Medical information is private and should be treated as such. This does not mean that using these devices is a bad idea per se, but by being mindful about how you use them and the apps they provide, you can better protect your personal information while improving your physical health.
Recommendations
How can you protect your data while using smart devices?
- Be mindful of the content you store on your devices and think about its impact if it falls into the wrong hands
- Update your devices and apps whenever possible to avoid running a faulty program
- Understand the legal rights and practices of companies that store your data
- Be aware of default settings on mobile apps and turn on privacy settings as needed
- Stay up to date on the news regarding recent security breaches to see if you may have been affected