So I got the brush off from Fitbit when asking for some simple stats about all the data they collect about people and their activities via their Fitbit devices. I asked them the following two pretty simple questions: 1) How many people are currently using Fitbit devices? 2) How much total data is collected/created each day by each, and also by all, the Fitbit devices? Here is their answer to me: At this time we are unable to release these details to you, due to their proprietary nature, but we hope youll find some of the information available on our website (https://fitbit) helpful for your project. In other words, Buzz off! I was disappointed to see Fitbits complete lack of transparency about the data their devices collect from and about the individuals using them, and the total number of devices that are in use. It should not be proprietary information to tell me *how much data* their devices are collecting about people via their Fitbit device; be transparent! It is the peoples data, about their activities, that is being collected. It certainly is not proprietary data of Fitbits in the true sense of the word. So, is it 50KB a day? 1 MB a day? 1GB a day? 20 GB a day? etc. And their Privacy Pledge includes the statement: 2. We will be transparent about our data practices and will explain them in clear language; Well, this wasnt the example I was planning to relay to the conference attendees at my session this week, but it certainly will make a great example of a businesss poor privacy practice and lack of transparency (after pledging to be transparent), especially with the growing number of wearable devices that are being used. Perhaps theyre afraid that theyll lose sales if people know the massive amount of data they are collecting? I know people use and love Fitbit and credit the devices with helping them to get into better shape. However, I would like to know about all the data they are collecting before using one of the devices. I know many other folks who also feel this same way. And I didnt even ask another question I would like to know: to whom do they disclose this data, including contracted entities they use? #privacy
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 00:47:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015