Dangerous data gaps: Smartwatches and other wearables can endanger your privacy

Modern wearables collect a wide range of personal data, including sleep patterns, heart rate, exercise activities and menstrual information. While this data can improve health monitoring, it also raises important privacy concerns.

Data protection risks at leading manufacturers

According to a study published in npj Digital Medicine, 17 well-known wearable manufacturers such as Apple, Google, Fitbit, Huawei and Xiaomi were evaluated based on 24 criteria. These include privacy policy transparency, user control and response to security incidents. The results show that many manufacturers have unclear privacy policies and often lack specific information on data sharing. Protection mechanisms against data leaks are usually inadequate, and users have limited options for data control or deletion.

Differences in data protection according to risk score

The study evaluated 17 well-known wearable manufacturers using a "Privacy Risk Score". The scores range from 33 (lowest risk) to 60 (highest risk).

High data protection standards (risk score 33–41)

The group with the best data protection practices includes Google (33), Apple (35), Oura (38), Polar (38), Withings (39) and Garmin (41). These manufacturers are characterized by clear policies, transparent data controls and effective security measures. Users can expect a high level of protection of their personal data.

Medium data protection risk (risk score 43–53)

Fitbit (43), Ultrahuman (44), Samsung (47), Fossil (48), Coros (50), Whoop (50), Wahoo (52) and Suunto (53) fall into the category of medium data protection risk. These companies have data protection measures in place, but some lack transparency and user control. A critical review of individual data protection policies by users is recommended.

High data protection risk (risk score 58–60)

At the lower end of the scale are Huawei (58), Wyze (60) and Xiaomi (60). Despite their market significance, these manufacturers exhibit significant data protection deficiencies, such as unclear information about data collection, limited control options for users and inadequate protection mechanisms. Overall, the study identified a high data protection risk for these brands. Users should exercise particular caution and carefully review their own data protection options.

Conclusion and significance for users

The study stresses that, in addition to features and price, data protection should also play a decisive role when choosing a wearable device. Consumers should regularly check for themselves how their data is processed and what rights they have, as this is the only way to make an informed decision how to best protect their privacy.