For those of us who don't live with a doctor, there's this series of scales. They do everything from weigh you to measure your heart rate, water percentage, bone and muscle mass. It takes all that personal information and shares it with an app on your phone where you can set up personalized programs to keep your weight right where you want it. If you have the willpower, that is.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
Withings seems to do a good job protecting your privacy and security. They don't share or sell your data and have an easy to read privacy policy. Which is great for a device that knows how much you weigh, what your body fat percentage is, and how much water you are retaining. No one but you really needs to know all that.
Tips to protect yourself
- Be very careful what third party companies you consent to share your health data with. If you do decide to share your health data with another company, read their privacy policy to see how they protect, secure, and share or sell your data.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: No
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: No
App: No
Tracks location
Device: No
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, birth date, names and surnames, phone number, delivery address.
Body related
Weight, muscle, fat, water percentage.
Social
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?
No known incidents in the last 3 years.
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
Written in plain language
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Strong password
You access the device through the Withings HealthMate app, which requires a unique password.
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Privacy policy
Does the product use AI?
Is this AI untrustworthy?
What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?
Is the company transparent about how the AI works?
Does the user have control over the AI features?
Dive Deeper
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Withings raises $60m for AI-enabled wearableseeNews
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