Fitness apps hoovering up data, study

Amsterdam: A recent study has shed light on how fitness apps are raking in user data. It turns out that a whopping 80% of these apps share your info with third parties. Yikes!

According to Surfshark, a Dutch internet security firm, popular apps like Strava and Fitbit are the biggest culprits. They collect a staggering 21 types of data, while the average app gathers about 12. That’s a lot of info!

Interestingly, some apps like Centr are a bit more modest, only collecting three types of data. But even then, it’s mostly crash data that gets tracked actively.

Tomas Stamulis, Surfshark’s chief security officer, points out that free apps tend to share more data than paid ones. So, if you’re using a free app, it might be time to think about what you’re giving up.

He suggests that users should consider opting for paid versions or even look for alternatives that respect their privacy. If an app is asking for data you think is unnecessary, maybe it’s worth questioning why.

Many fitness apps track your location, which is pretty standard for running or biking apps like Runna and Strava. But experts say it’s crucial to have control over what data you share.

Some apps even collect sensitive information, like ethnic background or sexual orientation. For instance, Nike Training Club gathers sensitive data, but their user agreement doesn’t mention it at all. That’s a bit concerning!

In Australia, data on fitness app usage is limited. A survey from 2021 found that about 24% of people used fitness trackers, while 23% used smartwatches. The Royal Australian Air Force even warned about the risks of wearable tech being hacked.

The Australian Institute of Sport advises athletes to be careful about what data they allow apps to collect. Sometimes, it’s just better to turn off the device for a bit to keep your info private.