Any fitness watch with internet access, by definition, is spyware, yes or yes. Personal and health data are too succulent for large companies not to turn them into profits.
There are fitness apps that save data locally, if you want to monitor your health status during your workouts, there is no need for a Cloudservice for this purpose, the data from a workout is not so much that it cannot be saved on a cheap SD card, with much a transfer via Bluetooth to the PC or Mobile, if you want to review this data.
I use an Apple Watch. It regularly (about every 2 weeks) to review who and what data I’m sharing with studies. I can easily opt out again, and the system is opt in only.
No different than the situation with iPhones and Android phones, really. Apple has made their money once you buy the device, and views your personal data as a liability. Google is an ad company that happens to make hardware, and views your data as necessary monetisation potential.
As much as I hate apple products (tho new chips are wild), I got to agree here. I don't know ehat apple does with your data but it does seem to my uninformed eye that they do better than the rest.
Godamnit ! Again I missed out on the data sharing opportunity.
My uncle got an apple watch and said that I am missing out on all the cool features.
I replied , I dont want anything that connects to internet.
He laughed.
I was forced into using a Fitbit last year, and I instantly went back to my Samsung Galaxy watch when I got the chance. Samsung Health is annoying on iOS, but at least you don't need to send all your data to Samsung in order to use it
Kids, folks, trusted benefactors - everything's taking your data. Tell it no or don’t buy it.
TheWorld: This thing is amazing! Buy it and give it your data!
Me: wtf
TheWorld: #1 This thing grosses eleventy billion dollars first quarter!
Internet: guyz thing stealz data omg
(Repeat)