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Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

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Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#101

Post by 9dl »

nevir wrote: post #96

After having worked at Google, it is the only company I actually do trust with my data. (But I am also ok with them using it to customize my experience, and even target ads) Their internal privacy controls are extensive. As a human, it is nearly impossible to access someone's data, even when debugging code/ML models/etc. And when you do need to, it requires exhaustive oversight/approval, and _everything_ is audited.

>Their Internal privacy controls are extensive.

And what about "External privacy controls"?

I think that even fb devs can say such thing but...

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#102

Post by Medicalidiot »

nevir wrote: post #96

After having worked at Google, it is the only company I actually do trust with my data. (But I am also ok with them using it to customize my experience, and even target ads) Their internal privacy controls are extensive. As a human, it is nearly impossible to access someone's data, even when debugging code/ML models/etc. And when you do need to, it requires exhaustive oversight/approval, and _everything_ is audited.

One thing I have to say is that Google is competitive because of the fact it has so much data. It wants that locked down to keep that advantage. At the same time, I am uncomfortable with the power this affords them over people.

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#103

Post by nevir »

9dl wrote: post #101
nevir wrote: post #96

After having worked at Google, it is the only company I actually do trust with my data. (But I am also ok with them using it to customize my experience, and even target ads) Their internal privacy controls are extensive. As a human, it is nearly impossible to access someone's data, even when debugging code/ML models/etc. And when you do need to, it requires exhaustive oversight/approval, and _everything_ is audited.

>Their Internal privacy controls are extensive. And what about "External privacy controls"? I think that even fb devs can say such thing but...

Enternal? Did you mean external?

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#104

Post by 9dl »

nkrisc wrote: post #5

I had recently begun considering a smart watch to replace my original Pebble, and was considering Fitbit, but this is exactly why I won't be going with them. I'm slowly De-Googling and spreading my digital life across multiple providers instead of being at the mercy of a single one. I don't expect my total privacy exposure will be significantly less, but it's more about not having my email, media purchases, phone int…

What for you will use "smart watch"?

For real. There is not so much they can do and even less they can do properly

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#105

Post by throwaway35784 »

nevir wrote: post #96

After having worked at Google, it is the only company I actually do trust with my data. (But I am also ok with them using it to customize my experience, and even target ads) Their internal privacy controls are extensive. As a human, it is nearly impossible to access someone's data, even when debugging code/ML models/etc. And when you do need to, it requires exhaustive oversight/approval, and _everything_ is audited.

Do users have access to the audit logs of those who have accessed their information?

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#106

Post by 9dl »

LegitShady wrote: post #7
llarsson wrote: post #3

"Google could know which medications I take, and what any medical diagnosis's I have," Carpenter said. "It makes me feel sick to my stomach." Google already knows what diagnoses people have, simply because people have been searching their symptoms. Remember when Google several years ago boasted about predicting epidemics faster than the health care system, based on searches?

That's different that wearing a tracking device ok your arm. People are really upset because google started acting politically. If they weren't concerned about Google's judgment they wouldn't be worried. But they're right to worry.

Acting politically is ok

Acting corporately is totally not ok

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#107

Post by Medicalidiot »

flattone wrote: post #29
PMan74 wrote: post #25

27 million active Fitbit users at end of 2018. "Several" say they are getting rid of the devices because of a lack of trust in Google. How many constitutes "several" is left for the reader to calculate. 27? 270? 2,700? Poor journalism.

If I buy anyone in my family a home speaker, or Fitbit, or other thing for holiday I'm getting laughed back into my car

Anecdotes don't necessarily correlate to populations.

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#108

Post by shantly »

nevir wrote: post #96

After having worked at Google, it is the only company I actually do trust with my data. (But I am also ok with them using it to customize my experience, and even target ads) Their internal privacy controls are extensive. As a human, it is nearly impossible to access someone's data, even when debugging code/ML models/etc. And when you do need to, it requires exhaustive oversight/approval, and _everything_ is audited.

1) That can change at any time,

2) Those data are never going away, and may not (=will not) belong to Google forever,

3) Data that exists can be demanded by the government, justly or otherwise, and they will get it—private companies running a dragnet spy operation on everyone is only marginally better than the government doing the same directly,

4) Targeted ads are adversarial. So are ads in general, really—yes I know they can be useful but I'm talking in general, and in practice—but it's definitely more off-putting to be spied on then have that information used against you.

5) Google's incentives suck, their ethics suck, and I don't trust one bit that they won't do all kinds of nasty shit with the data they've collected the moment that looks like it's best for their bottom line.

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#109

Post by abalone »

> Google explicitly said in the deal announcement that it won’t sell their personal or health data.

That’s not all. Google also said they will not use your data to target ads. In a forward looking statement about the deal. That’s significant.

Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google

#110

Post by 9dl »

omarhaneef wrote: post #24

I basically use Fitbit for sleep tracking more than any other feature. And I used to be a loyal Jawbone Up customer (yes, replacing it every few months when the band snapped) for the same reason. This may be off topic since it has nothing to do with this acquisition, but does anyone know of a equivalent or superior sleep tracker that you wear on your arm?

https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/placebo-sleep/

tldr: just say to yourself that you sleep was amazing and do not need any tracking

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