Garmin has bounced right into the smartwatch for kids game with their new Garmin Bounce (yes, that was cheesy, we know). For parents who want to be able to always keep close tabs on their kids, Garmin's new smartwatch for kids allows you to always keep track of their location in real time, text message, two-way voice message, send them reminders to check-in, and give access to up to 20 contacts who can also contact, locate, and message your kids. All this means the new Bounce comes with LTE connectivity that requires a $10 a month subscription plan though their Garmin Jr app. Good for parents who worry...bad for kids who want some privacy. The good news is, Garmin is better at privacy than many of the other smartwatch for kids makers out there.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
When your *Privacy Not Included researcher wanted to get a fitness tracking smartwatch to see how stressed out reading privacy policies made her, Garmin is what she went with. Because Garmin seems to do one of the best jobs handling the privacy and security of all the personal data fitness trackers collect, at least according to their really not that stressful privacy policy. The Garmin Bounce comes with it's own Garmin Jr app privacy policy too. So, more privacy policies to read, more stress...still, Garmin pretty good.
Here’s what this privacy researcher really likes about Garmin. Yes, they do collect a good bit of personal information through the device and on the Garmin Connect and Garmin Jr apps because that’s what a fitness tracking smartwatch does. It’s good to know parents aren’t required to use the real name of their child when setting up the apps. Still, two apps (Garmins says, "When you create your family profile in the Garmin Jr. app, your Garmin Connect name will be used as your admin name in the Garmin Jr. app.") is not exactly better than one, especially when it comes to data collection. These apps collect data like email address, device information, location, gender and all that body related data like physical activity, stress, sleep patterns, heat rate, pulse ox, and more. The good thing is, yes, they collect it, but they also seem to protect it.
Garmin says they don't sell data and they don't share your personal information for advertising purposes with third parties without your consent. They ask you to opt-in rather than opt-out of consent to receive marketing communications from them. And their privacy policy is actually pretty good at laying out what data they collect, clearly explaining why they collect it, and how it is used.
Garmin also seems to do a pretty good job securing the personal information they collect. However, they did suffer that very public ransomware attack in 2020. Ransomware attacks suck and it seems no company is safe from them these days. Good news though, no user data was actually compromised in that attack, so, once more, good work Garmin.
Garmin has been on our Best Of list for a number of years. And we're pleased to say, in 2023, it seems they've gotten even better (which is amazing when so many other companies are getting worse). We were very happy to see that the one gripe we had with Garmin in the past -- the fact that they didn't clearly state they grant all people, regardless of where they live and the privacy laws they live under, the same right to delete their data -- got fixed in 2023.
Garmin actually reached out to us about that and when we pointed out that they didn't clearly state that, they said they would take a look. And now we see this lovely line on their Data Protection Rights page, "Depending on where you reside, you may have rights under applicable laws, subject to conditions and restrictions provided in those laws. Regardless of where you reside, you can access, correct, export, or delete your personal data (including deleting your entire Garmin account) by visiting our Account Management Center." Great work Garmin! This is the kind of care about privacy for everyone, not just the people you're required to grant privacy rights to, that we LOVE to see. (Also, a note to toot our own horn a bit: This is what happen when we point out the issues we see to companies -- sometimes the good ones make change.)
Is your intrepid privacy researcher happy with her decision to get a Garmin fitness tracker? Yes, she is. Although it does make her a little nervous that she now leaves her phone's Bluetooth on all the time. But hey, knowing that body battery score is really cool! And shoot, any smart watch that's good enough for the US Space Force is good enough for us (we joke, we joke!)
What’s the worst that could happen with your Garmin Bounce fitness tracking smartwatch for your kids with real-time location tracking, text messaging, and two-way voice messaging built-in? Well, hopefully nothing. But, strapping a location tracking, speaker and microphone listening, LTE connected device to your child comes with some serious potential privacy and security concenrs, for sure. Garmin might be one of the good guys, but remember, nothing that connects to the internet is ever 100% safe and secure. Also, beware if you link your data to other third party apps like Strava and MyFitnessPal. Those apps come with their own privacy policies and every time you share your personal information with someone else you increase the vulnerability of that personal information.
One final consideration. This device tracks the activity and sleep of a child, and has a microphone strapped to their wrist. Parents should ask themselves, is this information something I want gathered and potentially accessible to others if there were a data leak or security vulnerability? Also, we think there is a good question to be raised about teaching young children that this level of digital surveillance in their lives is OK. Maybe we should track kids a little bit less, and teach them constant surveillance isn’t a good thing?
Tips to protect yourself
- Parents, keep a sharp eye on parent controls and permissions.
- Be very careful what third party companies you consent to share you health data with. If you do decided to share your health data with another company, read their privacy policy to see how they protect, secure, and share or sell your data.
- Do not sign up with third-party accounts. Better just log in with email and strong password.
- Chose a strong password! You may use a password control tool like 1Password, KeePass etc
- Use your device privacy controls to limit access to your personal information via app (do not give access to your camera, microphone, images, location unless neccessary)
- Keep your app regularly updated
- Limit ad tracking via your device (eg on iPhone go to Privacy -> Advertising -> Limit ad tracking) and biggest ad networks (for Google, go to Google account and turn off ad personalization)
- Request your data be deleted once you stop using the app. Simply deleting an app from your device usually does not erase your personal data.
- When starting a sign-up, do not agree to tracking of your data if possible.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: No
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Tracks location
Device: Yes
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
Yes
Phone
No
Third-party account
No
What data does the company collect?
Personal
Email address, name, and password; Child's name, photography, gender; Device location, text and voice messages sent through the device - if you give access.
Body related
Your child’s activity (such as chores, rewards, steps, distance, activity time, and sleep).
Social
Other Garmin Jr. app users will be able to see your profile. Users who are not your Connections will be able to see the family name you choose in your profile, your admin name, the name of any additional parent or guardian you have added to your profile, and the number of children you have added to your profile. Users who are your Connections will be able to see the same information plus the names you have provided for your children in your profile.
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?
They did suffer that very public ransomware attack in 2020. No user data was compromised during this attack.
Child Privacy Information
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Garmin devices and apps use a combination of asymmetric and symmetric encryption appropriate to the nature and function of the product, and data stored/transmitted.
Strong password
In order to use companion apps, an account with a strong password is required.
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Privacy policy
Dive Deeper
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Garmin Bounce LTE Kids Activity Tracker In-Depth ReviewDC Rainmaker
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The Best Smartwatches and Phones for Kids 2023Wirecutter
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The Best Smartwatches For Kids To Keep Families ConnectedForbes
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Smartwatch Privacy for Kids During the Coronavirus PandemicCommon Sense
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Garmin’s New Aviator Watch Partly Addresses a Risk the War in Ukraine Is Highlighting – MicrotargetingForbes
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Thousands of Garmin Smartwatches Being Used to Test Space Force Fitness ProgramMilitary.com News
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