
Garmin's Fenix line of watches -- which include solar versions, small and large versions, and even ones with super scratch resistant glass -- aren't cheap. You can drop $1,000 dollars on these watches that do all the smart watch things like heart rate, pulse ox, respiratory rate, stress, sleep, and more. These shiny wrist gadgets also offer GPS navigation, topographic maps right on your wrist, and a built-in flashlight just in case you still get lost in the dark. All this is great, but how about their privacy? Well, fortunately, Garmin's privacy is pretty good.
Wat kan er gebeuren als er iets misgaat?
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.
Here’s what this privacy researcher likes about Garmin. Yes, they do collect a good bit of personal information through the device and on the Garmin Connect app because that’s what a fitness tracking smartwatch does. They collect data like email address, device information, location, 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.
Your “sharing with others” user settings in the Garmin Connect app are set to “private” by default. Which is great. You can choose to share your data with contacts if you wish, but you have to change your privacy settings to do that. Good work Garmin. Garmin also doesn’t share your personal information for advertising purposes with third parties. 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. That’s all worth another, good work Garmin!
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 isn’t 100% perfect though. We do ding them because they don’t make it clear in their privacy policy that all users -- regardless of where they live and the privacy laws they live under -- have the same right to access and delete their data. Garmin told us they don’t deny any user those requests. However, it seems based on the way their privacy policy is worded, they could. Garmin told us they would revisit the wording in their privacy policy on this issue. Here’s hoping they make an update to clarify that soon.
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! What’s the worst that could happen with your fun Garmin fitness tracking smartwatch? Well, hopefully nothing, but do 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.
Tips om uzelf te beschermen
- Be very careful who you choose to share your Garmin wellness data with.
- Adjust your privacy settings in the Garmin Connect app to suit your comfort level.
- Don't connect your Garmin app to any social networks like Facebook, WeChat, etc.
- When you no longer use the app, go to "Delete account" in the app menu.
- Turn off precise location sharing!
- Use your device privacy controls to limit access to your personal information via app (do not give access to your camera, microphone, images and videos).
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
Kan het me bespioneren?
Camera
Apparaat: Nee
App: Ja
Microfoon
Apparaat: Nee
App: Nee
Volgt locatie
Apparaat: Ja
App: Ja
Wat is er nodig om u aan te melden?
E-mailadres
Ja
Telefoonnummer
Nee
Account van derden
Ja
WeChat, QQ, Google, and Apple log-ins available
Welke gegevens verzamelt het bedrijf?
Persoonlijke
Name, email address, gender (optional), age (optional), date of birth (optional), photos (optional)
Lichaamsgerelateerd
Activity data, such as menstrual cycle information, steps, distance, pace, activity time, calories burned, heart rate, sleep, location, golf stats, etc.
Sociale
You can add friends to see their activity data
Hoe gebruikt het bedrijf deze gegevens?
Hoe kunt u uw gegevens beheren?
Hoe staat het bedrijf bekend als het gaat om het beschermen van gebruikersgegevens?
They did suffer that very public ransomware attack in 2020. No user data was compromised during this attack.
Privacyinformatie voor kinderen
Kan dit product offline worden gebruikt?
Gebruikersvriendelijke privacy-informatie?
Garmin has an easy to find list of all privacy policies. The privacy policies are relatively simple to read.
Koppelingen naar privacy-informatie
Voldoet dit product aan onze minimale beveiligingsnormen?
Versleuteling
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.
Sterk wachtwoord
In order to use companion apps, an account with a strong password is required.
Beveiligingsupdates
Beheert kwetsbaarheden
Privacybeleid
Garmin uses Machine Learning (ML) to provide personalized insights to customers who wish to receive them as they pursue their fitness and wellness goals.
Is deze AI onbetrouwbaar?
Wat voor soort beslissingen neemt de AI over u of voor u?
Garmin says in their privacy policy, "Garmin does not make any decisions based on algorithms or other automated processing that significantly affect you."
Is het bedrijf transparant over hoe de AI werkt?
Heeft de gebruiker controle over de AI-functies?
Dieper duiken
-
Garmin’s New Aviator Watch Partly Addresses a Risk the War in Ukraine Is Highlighting – MicrotargetingForbes
-
Stop Leaving Your Smartphone's Bluetooth OnLifehacker
-
A Cyberattack on Garmin Disrupted More Than WorkoutsWired
-
Ransomware attack on Garmin thought to be the work of 'Evil Corp'The Guardian
-
The Garmin Hack Was a WarningWired
-
The Garmin Security Breach: Here’s What You Need to KnowTerra Nova
Opmerkingen
Hebt u een opmerking? Laat het ons weten.