Surveillance is an important element to wearable technology that not a lot of people are aware of. This is a very non-regulated field and companies can use your data for pretty much anything they want:
Suggested Workouts:
Based on the data your watch or tracker is collecting, the system inside your device can pick up patterns and suggest to you what it thinks you should do, and how you should feel. It knows when you have done a hard workout based on the heart rate and calories data you have given them, so it may suggest something not as strenuous, and vise versa.
Geo-Targeting Ads:
With the data your wearables are collecting, it knows where you are around the world, and most likely where you live. Because of that, 3rd party companies can send ads your way based on the memory of your device and the places you have gone. For example, if you always run or bike or play soccer near a certain close by restaurant, you can start to see ads for that restaurant pop up on your feed. Not particularly on your watch, but since fitness trackers especially are synced with other personal devices, you can see ads pop up on other devices like you computer or phone.
Syncing Up With Other Devices:
A lot of new and cool features that smart watches and fitness trackers come out with are worked around the other information in more personal devices. For example, Strava has a feature in their app called “Becon”, and the point is for people to live-view your workout while its happening so they know where you are and if you are safe. In order for that to work, you need to sync your contacts in from your phone.
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More Thoughts On Surveillance
Phil White
Co-Author of Unplugged
Kevin Cronin
Full Send Triathlon
2021 USTA National Champion
Dr. Lee Rosen
Behavior Therapist
& Psychotherapist
Dr. Andy Galpin
PhD Human Bioenergetics
Co-Author of Unplugged
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