Apple Watch 6
Review date: 11/02/2020
The Apple Watch still reigns supreme in the world of smart watches. You've got all your email, text, phone calls, music, podcasts, and more right there on your wrist (as long as you have an iPhone, of course). And now you have even more health data. There's heart rate, sleep tracking, steps, calories, and this year Apple has added what's called pulse ox, which is basically how much oxygen is in your blood. In the era of coronavirus, knowing how much oxygen in your blood is actually a good thing. Apple has a pretty good track record of taking all this very personal data and keeping it safe, which we appreciate.
What could happen if something goes wrong
Apple does a pretty good job with privacy and security as a company. They don't share or sell your data and Apple takes special care to make sure your Siri requests aren't associated with you. Apple did face backlash in 2019 when it came to light that their contractors were regularly listening in on confidential personal conversations when they were reviewing the voice assistant's recordings. Apple changed their policy so users weren't automatically opted-in to human voice review. This device does track a whole bunch of biometric data including your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, menstrual cycle, hearing, breathing, and your heart's electrical signals. Better hope your insurance company never gets access to all that info cause that could get weird (and costly).
Privacy
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: No
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Tracks Location
Device: Yes
App: Yes
What is required to sign up?
Yes
Phone
No
Third party account
No
What data does it collect?
Personal
Name, contact information, address
Biometric
Heart rate, movement, blood oxygen levels, sleep data, voice recordings if you use voice commands
Social
Contact list
How does it use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record for protecting users’ data?
They actually changed their Siri voice recording review practices—from an opt out to an opt-in—when people told them they were unhappy having contractors listen to the recordings. Good for them!
Can this product be used offline?
A WiFi connection is required to set it up.
User friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Security
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Uses encryption in transit and at rest. After Apple recognizes the words “Hey Siri,” what you say is encrypted and sent anonymously to Apple servers without being tied to your Apple ID. Audio samples are only retained if you have opted-in.
Strong password
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Apple has a bug bounty program, which means that anyone who finds a security issue and discloses it responsibly may get paid. https://developer.apple.com/security-bounty/
Privacy policy
Apple has a webpage highlighting its privacy principles and features. Apple begins its privacy policy with a statement of principles. While this statement is very long, it is clearly broken out into relevant topics.
Artificial Intelligence
Does the product use AI?
Does the AI use your personal data to make decisions about you?
Does the company allow users to see how the AI works?
Apple employes machine learning in many different ways, from using it to to improve Siri to using it to sharpen the photos that you take. Apple states in its privacy policy, "Apple does not take any decisions involving the use of algorithms or profiling that significantly affect you." Some of its research can be found at https://machinelearning.apple.com/.
