Wearable tech is one of the newest technologies in technology and it has already disrupted the business world. Many enterprises are looking to adopt this technology to increase efficiency and improve their workflow. However, this technology comes with a lot of concerns regarding data privacy and security. As a result, it is important to understand the risks and implications of using wearable tech.
Wearables enable new types of biomedical data collection and are widely used in healthcare for a variety of purposes, such as monitoring, screening, detection, and prediction. In the context of digital health, they are considered key tools for advancing towards person-centred medicine and more precise, personalised monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment.
The most common wearable devices are fitness trackers that help you keep a close eye on your physical activity and monitor your heart rate. Smartwatches are also popular and can track a variety of metrics including location, phone calls, and messages. Other wearables are incorporated into clothing, such as tights or shoes, or implanted under the skin (like pacemakers). There are also specialised devices designed for sportspeople, such as head mounted displays that provide virtual information straight to the eyes.
The most important challenge for the wearable industry is to create sustainable customer engagement. A large number of wearables have failed to achieve this, often due to poor quality, pain to sync with smartphones, battery life, discomfort and UX. Additionally, the data collected by wearables is often biased and underrepresentative, focusing on certain social, economic, and age groups more than others. This can lead to false knowledge claims and misguided health policy based on incomplete, inaccurate and outdated data.