I am wearing xiaomi band.
[trolling] What could be a problem?
Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
41–50 of 241 posts
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#42The average Joe that uses Fitbit probably doesn't even know that this transaction is happening. Sometimes we think people read the same news we read and understand things the same way we understand them. That's definitely not the case.
That was my thought - even the people who know may or may not care, but certainly everyone who owns a Fitbit doesn't know - my wife's work handed them out for Christmas one year - those people won't have any idea.
I'm also not sure why a sudden distrust of Google over Fitbit. It's not like Fitbit wasn't in a position to misuse your data as well. Google is just better at it.
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#43Fitbit users are getting rid of the devices because previously all the services were bundled with the cost of the physical device but now they want you to buy the device and subscribe to Fitbit Premium.
Source: first-hand contact with Fitbit users in the Real World
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#44I 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?
I am afraid to sleep with my Fitbit, I think I would wake up with battle scars on my face.
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#45For me the change is ownership was just the last straw, their incredibly crappy app and the difficulty in downloading my data was a more significant factor.
The app is pretty smooth and nice, syncing is usually good, maybe it's a bit limited in the stats it offers, but for me (tracking my weight, calories, and active hours) is good enough. Didn't try other apps though, so can't compare. I have been using it for over 2 years now almost daily and I'm pretty happy with it, especially that I can track my table-tennis activities and see how hard I actually tried.
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#46Independent tech in the 2010s is like independent banking in the 2000s. You find a decent partner and 6 months later you roll over and see BigCorp beside you.
I struggle to see how this even is consistent with the spirit of the Fitbit terms-- the purchase of the company transfers ownership of user data, which Fitbit assured customers it would never do. Time for some common sense concerning this consumer-unfriendly trend.
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#47Classic example of an article in search of a movement. Take a handful of tweets that share an opinion and write an article that makes it seem like there's a mass exodus. It's ok, you don't need anything more than a handful of tweets to back your claim. Yes, some people are privacy conscious and are going to stop using Fitbit but how many are actually doing it? A lot? A few? Who knows. I'm sure author has no clue but…
And now people who want to convince others to leave behind their fitbits need only point them to this article to lend legitimacy to the claim that "everyone is doing it!". Stuff like this is part of why people don't trust the media anymore.
> Stuff like this is part of why people don't trust the media anymore.
This kind of nonsense is nothing new. It's been going on for ages.
You know those man-on-the-street news segments with people literally repeating the reporters words for a soundbite? It's the exact same thing.
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#48I used to have a fitbit, it broke within the warranty time and sold the replacement rather than actually keep using it. Since then I've been thinking of getting a new one, but the Google acquisition instead prompted me to have my account deleted.
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#49"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?
They might know in general what people search for, but as a person using !google for both email and search I too would be pretty pissed if my health data was going straight to the biggest advertiser.
Re: Some users say they're getting rid of Fitbit because they don't trust Google
#50Classic example of an article in search of a movement. Take a handful of tweets that share an opinion and write an article that makes it seem like there's a mass exodus. It's ok, you don't need anything more than a handful of tweets to back your claim. Yes, some people are privacy conscious and are going to stop using Fitbit but how many are actually doing it? A lot? A few? Who knows. I'm sure author has no clue but…
I don’t know about anyone else, but I just got rid of my Fitbit and never spoke of it on social media. My guess is it’s limited a few thousand to low tens of thousands of people which is not economically meaningful on it’s own. But, it does show another side of the privacy debate. Many companies are selling data not because it’s significant revenue, but rather because they have no reason to leave money on the table.…
I have never felt harmed or threatened by the idea that my anonymized data (health or otherwise) is being used by large organizations... assuming it is anonymized.
As far as I can see, there are many good uses of this data (some potentially profitable, such as selling to health insurance companies so they can better price their products and evaluate risks) and very few bad uses of this data.
Can someone please clarify for me exactly what the potential harm is here... using evidence and reason instead of conjecture and belief? Because until then, this all smells an awful lot like a conspiracy theory https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/tools/lp/Bo/LogicalFalla...
Here's an example: Google has had our data for literally decades now. What is the measurable, significant harm that has resulted? And if there is nothing, what catastrophes are yet possible where a single or group of rogue bad actors profit off the suffering of many and get away with it?
Please explain to me my naiveté here.