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This large scale data analytics is probable the best (or at least usually fastest) way to solve the worlds big health challenges I would guess. Nobody forced an

This large scale data analytics is probable the best (or at least usually fastest) way to solve the worlds big health challenges I would guess. Nobody forced anyone to wear a smart watch or health tracker. I for one thinks the world is slightly better off because of companies like Fitbit!

saagarjha 8y ago
> Nobody forced anyone to wear a smart watch or health tracker. I think this is a dangerous mindset to have, assuming that just because someone's bought a product, that gives the manufacturer license to collect data on my health habits. I would be much more receptive to an opt-in study.
Zarath 8y ago
The world may be better off, but certainly not because they massively collect biometric data, but because their product encourages exercise.
- daniel_iversen 8y ago
  Both right? You may not like it but which research wouldn’t benefit from a large useful dataset? And to the post above re: assuming consent, sure maybe they should make it crystal clear up front how they’ll use your data.
  - brlewis 8y ago
    How would you suggest making it clear up front? Providing a link to a privacy policy and making people check a box saying they've read it?
    - bpchaps 8y ago
      A list of information shared would go a long way. Assuming it's a short list (hah), it wouldn't be hard to prominently display it aside from the privacy policy. Edit: Also, turn ALL of this into a single step, and make it easier to find: https://blog.fitbit.com/go-incognito/ https://blog.fitbit.com/go-incognito/
    - saagarjha 8y ago
      Make it opt-in.
davemp 8y ago
> This large scale data analytics is probable the best (or at least usually fastest) way to solve the worlds big health challenges I would guess. Judging from previous performance of using statistical analysis to study health, I don't see it solving anything major. Health is mostly a combinations of genetics and healthy routines. People already have a good idea of how they could improve their routines/diets--they choose not to. Healthy routines are hard. So unless the massive data sets are related to genetics, I don't see them contributing much. Also good luck "anonymizing" genetic data!
TeMPOraL 8y ago
If used by researchers, for research. Not sitting in vaults of private companies, doing God knows what. I don't even know what they need that data for. Sure, now that's there, it could be useful. But why can't we ever go about collecting such data the right way? Opt-in, and for the right purpose?
- asdkhadsj 8y ago
  > If used by researchers, for research. Sure, but that's application. Great things usually can do terrible things depending on application. At some point we have to take a leap of faith and acknowledge that some things, like heart data ingestion, is an amazing advancement for humanity. Lets not try and stop it, lets try to move it in the right direction. Ie, not private, etc.
  - TeMPOraL 8y ago
    I can imagine potential good uses. I just don't trust this particular actor.
Broken_Hippo 8y ago
* Nobody forced anyone to wear a smart watch or health tracker.* Yes... and no. Don't folks get insurance premium discounts for using one of these things? If you are poor and having trouble putting food on the table, it isn't much of an actual choice.

saagarjha 8y ago

> Nobody forced anyone to wear a smart watch or health tracker. I think this is a dangerous mindset to have, assuming that just because someone's bought a product, that gives the manufacturer license to collect data on my health habits. I would be much more receptive to an opt-in study.

Zarath 8y ago

The world may be better off, but certainly not because they massively collect biometric data, but because their product encourages exercise.

daniel_iversen 8y ago
Both right? You may not like it but which research wouldn’t benefit from a large useful dataset? And to the post above re: assuming consent, sure maybe they should make it crystal clear up front how they’ll use your data.
- brlewis 8y ago
  How would you suggest making it clear up front? Providing a link to a privacy policy and making people check a box saying they've read it?
  - bpchaps 8y ago
    A list of information shared would go a long way. Assuming it's a short list (hah), it wouldn't be hard to prominently display it aside from the privacy policy. Edit: Also, turn ALL of this into a single step, and make it easier to find: https://blog.fitbit.com/go-incognito/ https://blog.fitbit.com/go-incognito/
  - saagarjha 8y ago
    Make it opt-in.

davemp 8y ago

> This large scale data analytics is probable the best (or at least usually fastest) way to solve the worlds big health challenges I would guess. Judging from previous performance of using statistical analysis to study health, I don't see it solving anything major. Health is mostly a combinations of genetics and healthy routines. People already have a good idea of how they could improve their routines/diets--they choose not to. Healthy routines are hard. So unless the massive data sets are related to genetics, I don't see them contributing much. Also good luck "anonymizing" genetic data!

TeMPOraL 8y ago

If used by researchers, for research. Not sitting in vaults of private companies, doing God knows what. I don't even know what they need that data for. Sure, now that's there, it could be useful. But why can't we ever go about collecting such data the right way? Opt-in, and for the right purpose?

asdkhadsj 8y ago
> If used by researchers, for research. Sure, but that's application. Great things usually can do terrible things depending on application. At some point we have to take a leap of faith and acknowledge that some things, like heart data ingestion, is an amazing advancement for humanity. Lets not try and stop it, lets try to move it in the right direction. Ie, not private, etc.
- TeMPOraL 8y ago
  I can imagine potential good uses. I just don't trust this particular actor.

Broken_Hippo 8y ago

* Nobody forced anyone to wear a smart watch or health tracker.* Yes... and no. Don't folks get insurance premium discounts for using one of these things? If you are poor and having trouble putting food on the table, it isn't much of an actual choice.