Fitbit Inspire HR

Fitbit Inspire HR

Review date: Oct. 23, 2019

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Mozilla says

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People voted: Somewhat creepy
If you want a little tracking--activity, heart rate, sleep--without the extra bells and whistles, this little bracelet could be for you. Just think, in the year 1819, the word tracker meant someone who was good at finding and following animals (or people). Now, in the year 2019, tracker means technology we strap to ourselves to tell us how many steps we've taken a day. Bet they never saw that coming back in 1819.

What could happen if something goes wrong?

Fitbit does a good job with privacy and security and de-identifies the data it collects so it's (hopefully) not personally identifiable. We say hopefully because, depending on the kind of data, it’s been found to be pretty easy to de-anonymize these data sets and track down an individual’s patterns, especially with location data. So, just be completely aware you are strapping on device with a built-in microphone that tracks your location, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more. That's a lot of personal information gathered in one place. Oh, and news recently broke that Google is buying Fitbit. What does that mean? We don't know quite yet, but it does seem that all that sensitive data Fitbit collects will now be owned by Google, a company that likes to have as much data on people as possible.
  • mobile

Can it snoop on me? information

Camera

Device: No

App: Yes

Microphone

Device: No

App: Yes

Tracks location

Device: Yes

App: Yes

What can be used to sign up?

What data does the company collect?

How does the company use this data?

How can you control your data?

What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?

Average

Can this product be used offline?

Can’t Determine

User-friendly privacy information?

Yes

Links to privacy information

Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards? information

Yes

Encryption

Yes

Fitbit protects data sent between your device and the Fitbit app with encryption.

Strong password

N/A

Wearable devices run over a secure Bluetooth connection from a companion app. In order to use the app, an account with a strong password is required. Fitbit smartwatches are PIN protected to secure Fitbit Pay transactions.

Security updates

Yes

Updates are pushed automatically when you pair your device with the companion app.

Manages vulnerabilities

Yes

Fitbit has a bug bounty program, which means that anyone who finds a security issue and discloses it responsibly may get paid.

Privacy policy

Yes

Does it have a privacy policy?

Does the product use AI? information

Can’t Determine

Is this AI untrustworthy?

Can’t Determine

What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?

Is the company transparent about how the AI works?

Can’t Determine

Does the user have control over the AI features?

Can’t Determine

*Privacy Not Included

Dive Deeper

  • We read your wearable tech's privacy policy so you don't have to
    Wareable Link opens in a new tab
  • Google is buying Fitbit: now what?
    The Verge Link opens in a new tab
  • How to make sure your fitness trackers are secure
    The Verge Link opens in a new tab
  • A Google Fitbit means new possibilities and questions for the smartwatch
    CNET Link opens in a new tab

Comments

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