Many people now wear a wellness gadget or use a wellness app on their smart phone. These take many forms but the most common is around fitness.

The APP or gadget counts your steps, your breathing, perhaps your heart rate, distance covered, time spent sleeping and so on.

But it may also have confidential information about you such as your name, address, age, weight and more. The device will likely track your route and if that’s regular then someone accessing your data can find out where you will be.

How much information is stored will be described in the device’s privacy policy but how many people read those?

Not a lot.

Does the owner of the APP sell your information to third parties?

You’ll have to read the policy to find out.

Data Protection

Personal health information is protected in the UK by privacy laws including the Data Protection Act 1998.

You may have paid a lot for your device or APP or may have chosen a free APP – did you wonder how they make the money that pays their bills?

Fitness APP companies may share your details with Marketing companies for payment. Under GDPR you have to agree to that but it may be buried in the small print for the APP, which you agree to. After all, how many people actually read all of the small print?

 Should You Worry?

It’s up to you to take the time to read the privacy policy and then decide if you trust the supplier and see whether you can limit the data they access and what they do with it.

Get informed first then make your choices.

If you have any experiences with these scams do let me know, by email.