Mother Jones writer Dana Liebelson has done some investigative journalism and discovered that fitness trackers from companies like Fitbit, Garmin, and Nike actually track your fitness and hold that data in their vast databases where it can be shared on the web, on a smartphone, and with others. Yes, really.
“Let’s start with the popular Fitbit. When you buy one of these bracelets or clip-on devices, you have the option of automatically sending fitness data to the Fitbit website. And the site encourages you to also submit other medical information, such as blood pressure and glucose levels. According to Fitbit’s privacy policy, “At times Fitbit may make certain personal information available to strategic partners that work with Fitbit to provide services to you.” Stephna May, a Fitbit spokesperson, says that the company “does not sell information collected from the device that can identify individual users, period.” However, she says that the company would consider marketing “aggregate information” that cannot be linked back to an individual user—which is outlined in the privacy policy as aggregated gender, age, height, weight, and usage data.”
Yes, and Strava knows where we ride, who we ride with, and what we say to them after we drop them. Seems like it’s time for all of us to just throw in the towel and know that unless you’re some kind of charismatic, political genius with plans to buck the new world order, no one really cares about any of your particulars. Seriously. And if they do, then there’s nothing you can do about it. We already live in a police state. Get used to it.
[Link: Mother Jones]
