If you don’t already wear a fitness tracker or smart ring, that may soon change — especially if federal officials get their way.
During a recent House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. encouraged Americans to embrace wearable health tech like Fitbits, Apple Watches, Oura Rings, and glucose monitors. His goal? Help people take more control of their health.
Kennedy argued that devices tracking things like heart rate, glucose levels, and physical activity could empower individuals to make healthier choices. “People can see in real time how food impacts their body,” he said, “and make better decisions about diet, exercise, and lifestyle.”
A National Push for Wearables
While there’s no mandate — yet — the Department of Health and Human Services is launching a national campaign to promote wearable tech. These devices can track everything from your heart rate and sleep patterns to menstrual cycles, physical activity, and even your location. Some, like the Oura Ring, claim to detect early signs of illness. Others, like the Apple Watch, nudge users to stay active.
But despite their benefits, experts are sounding alarms over privacy and security. These devices collect massive amounts of deeply personal data — and critics are asking: What happens if that data falls into the wrong hands?
What the Government Is and Isn’t Doing
To be clear, no one from the government has said they want to access your health data. “Encouraging wearable use and collecting data are two very different things,” said Alex Hamerstone, director at cybersecurity firm TrustedSec. “There’s no evidence right now that the government is asking for this data.”
Still, he noted, the government already has access to a lot of health information through Medicare, Medicaid, and other state programs. And as privacy protections weaken, concerns grow.
Health Data: Not Just ‘Steps and Sleep’
Unlike credit card data, which can be replaced after a breach, health data is far more personal and harder to control. Hamerstone said, “Knowing your heart rate is one thing. But when data includes glucose levels, reproductive health, or heart irregularities — that can impact everything from insurance rates to job opportunities.”
And here’s the kicker: health data from wearables isn’t protected under HIPAA like medical records. Instead, it falls under each company’s terms of service — and many reserve the right to share or sell your data, especially in the event of a merger or acquisition.
Can Companies Keep This Data Safe? History Says No
Security breaches involving wearable tech aren’t hypothetical — they’ve already happened. Kevin Johnson, CEO of security firm Secure Ideas, recalled the 2018 Strava breach where military base locations were exposed. “The fact that we’re promoting these devices after that incident is concerning,” he said.
Johnson’s company has tested multiple wearables and found significant vulnerabilities. In some cases, hackers could access not only health data but unrelated information through flaws in hardware and software.
Wearables often link to smartphones, which opens the door to even more personal data — like contacts and location — being exposed.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
While users have limited control, there are steps you can take:
- Adjust privacy settings on your device and app.
- Check those settings regularly — they may reset after updates.
- Use strong passwords.
- Turn off unnecessary Bluetooth and location-sharing features.
- Review app permissions.
But experts caution that these measures can only go so far.
“The real danger is in how companies handle your data behind the scenes,” said Dave Chronister, CEO of Parameter Security. “Even if your sleep data is safe with one company, that changes if another company buys them or if they change their policies.”
Chronister also warned that companies and data brokers can combine information from various apps to create detailed health profiles. With the rise of AI, those profiles could soon predict everything from future illnesses to your eligibility for health insurance.
Bottom Line: Know What You’re Signing Up For
While wearable devices can offer valuable insights and help you build healthier habits, they come with real privacy risks. And the growing encouragement from government officials — even if well-intentioned — has sparked debate about where the line between health empowerment and surveillance begins to blur.
“Even without government involvement, once your data exists, it’s vulnerable,” said Hamerstone.
So whether you’re considering getting a wearable or already own one, it’s important to understand the trade-offs — and take steps to safeguard your privacy.
