This has huge privacy implications, but as a data nerd, I'm excited to see it. As a hacker, I'm also excited. First, the hacker side: this will immediately create a market for device hacking (and forensics, $$$$) on an unprecedented scale. 1/n
reuters.com/article/us-man…
reuters.com/article/us-man…
If you can save $250/year on your policy by appearing to be active, but really are providing bunk data through a $50 app? Yeah, people will do that. Then when they die weighing in at 350 pounds but claiming to have run a marathon a week the last year? Forensics $$$. 2/n
But from a privacy perspective I'm horrified. It's a virtual certainty that this data will be breached at some point. It's already been shown how fitness tracker data, when de-anonymized, can create security issues (e.g. using fitness tracker information to map a SCIF). 3/n
Obviously this data won't be de-anonymized. But the bigger concern will be that health insurers will follow suit. If that happens, it's a social justice issue. I'll assume that the poor aren't buying life insurance, but many buy health insurance. 4/n
Forcing them to buy fitness bands (or other devices) to get a discount (or a policy at all)? Also, what of tech support? When the app isn't working, those with less money are more likely to go with cut-rate tech support, which may find other way to monetize their data. 5/n
But on the benefit side, this data could be used for so many studies that will benefit the broader public. There's no question that policies will be written such that data can be shared with medical researchers. The outcomes of that will likely be net positive for society. 6/n
TL;DR there's too much to unpack here in a single thread. But I predict this is going to be a game changer for the mobile/wearable forensics (and hacking) industry. Oh yeah, and a nightmare for consumer privacy. Also, law enforcement will be cheering from the rooftops. 7/7
