Experts say the risks associated with corporate use of activity tracking devices and other wearables are low. As with all wearable devices, there is always a risk. Some reports claim that Fitbits are hackable, such as by nearby people. Other fitness wearables or apps may also put your security in danger. What you need to know about the security and privacy of wearables and how best to minimize those risks.
Can fitness trackers put us at risk?
Several fitness trackers are capable of sending location data in real time to the cloud. IoT and wearables do not create new vulnerabilities in security, but they can bring back old ones. Security risks can arise due to the connection that wearables have with smartphones. Wearables can launch attacks because they are connected to cloud apps. The same attack vector can be used to compromise your smartphone.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that biometric activity trackers such as step counters and Heart Rate Monitors can leak information via Bluetooth. This information is difficult to obtain and of little use to hackers. If a smartwatch is found within a few metres of a smartphone, it could be used to steal contacts and emails. Smartwatches with an LTE connection are more recent. As they can be operated away from the connected device, there is an increased risk.
Find out more below:
- 7 out of 8 fitness trackers have unique identifiers which could expose the wearer to long-term location tracking even when they are not connected to their mobile devices.
- Garmin Connect has security flaws that allow an unauthorized party to read, delete, or modify user data. Garmin Connect’s iOS and Android apps do not follow basic data security practices, which leaves fitness information vulnerable to surveillance or tampering.
- Every fitness tracker has its own monitoring app. This app captures and translates fitness-related data. However, these apps may leak personal information.
Blockchain Technology – Is it the Answer? Personal Data at Risk
Blockchain technology may be the solution for fitness enthusiasts looking to protect their data. Blockchain-based models for health and fitness allow users to retain ownership of their data and decide whether they want to share it with apps that track location, fitness apps and gyms.
Blockchains are not used for storing health data. The blockchain is used to track ownership and data access. Fitness enthusiasts who want to own their data on health and fitness may find this option appealing.
Brian Jackson, Co-Founder and Blockchain security expert at BurstIQ. I asked him what he thought about the impact of Blockchain on health data, and how we can use our favorite fitness and healthcare apps with our smart devices.
“Blockchain allows the user to regain control over their data.” Jackson said that letting the user choose or consent to their IoT data for specific applications, as well as incentivizing users to share data with research groups or health-related organizations is a good way to encourage them to do so.
It’s up to the developers now to come up with solutions that will allow them to tap into the multi-billion dollar industry, while ensuring the users are in control and their data is not used without their permission. Users will feel more secure with Blockchain-enabled apps, which will increase adoption rates.
