privacy

[OldPhart]

My fiance convinced me to get a flex, and l love it.  Considering getting the android app for my Samsung phone.  The permissions for the app want access to all of my files, contacts, phone records, location, etc.  Is all of this really necessary?  I am concerned with the numbers of apps diving into personal information on the phone.  Sincerly and concerned whether I need to do this or not.

[Odyssey13]

@OldPhart  I have a Samsung phone. When I installed the Fitbit app, it didn't tell me that it needed any permissions. I'm like you and don't like sharing personal information but I trust Fitbit.

It's a nice app and great to be able to enter water or food, even checking your steps while running about town. Your fiance have an app set up, too?

Welcome to the forums.

[OldPhart]

Good morning and thank you.  Yes, she has an iphone and uses the app religiously.  I guess I had some concerns - perhaps they aren't valid.

My first day with the flex... 12,900 steps.  I immediately noticed that I am more logistically "aware" of what I consume as well.

Thank you for your reply and welcome.

[EmersonFitbit · Accepted solution]

@OldPhart hey there! Welcome aboard 

The location/contacts/file settings are completely optional, and dependent on your desired experience.

We don't want you to feel uncomfortable at all. I'll do my best to explain some of our policies.

In theory, you don't have to enter any personal information that you wouldn't want to. However, this may detract from the full experience (inaccuracies in the personal information such as age, height, weight and gender may effect your activity results such as caloric output, and the absence of the ability to access to your files, location, etc. would effect your sharing experience). 

Keep in mind that per the terms of our privacy policy, we don’t sell any data that could identify you. Furthermore, Fitbit will only share data about you when it is necessary to provide our services, when the data is de-identified and aggregated, or when you direct us to share it. Additional information could be found in our terms and conditions page.

Going back to your specific question about the necessity of the access to your files, I would say that no, it isn't. Disabling the location services would effect your GPS Mobile runs, if applicable. Contact access works when you're looking to add friends using the app. In short, each option provides a different aspect of our services.

Again, we don't want you to feel like you have to allow access! However, if you change your mind in the future, the option is always there to allow for it.

I hope this helps! If I was unclear in anyway, please let me know. And welcome to the Community!

[MG-1]

But what could Fitbit possibly need my photos for?

Or my files?

Or my calendar?

I don't see a way to opt out of any of this on the phone app. You either accept the app or you don't... 

[EmilyEL · Accepted solution]

@MG-1 Thank you for your inquiry regarding Android app permissions. As part of Google Play, the user is required to accept all permissions for any app that they would like to install before installation. Please note the permissions for the Fitbit app for Android and how we use them.

Identity: We use this to push Google Cloud messages to the app, for example Fitbit notifications like low battery, step goal, etc.

Contacts/Calendar: We use this to search for fellow Fitbit users within your contact list. Calendar is listed with contacts in the Play store but we do not use your calendar.

Location: This is used to track runs/walks/hikes using your phone’s GPS for the MobileRun feature.

Photos/Media/Files: In order for you to add a profile photo via the app, we need to access to your photos. Media and files are grouped in with photos, but we do not use those.

Bluetooth connection information: This is used to sync trackers.

Telephony: This is used to send call notifications to the new Fitbit tracker models (Charge/Charge HR/Surge)

SMS: This is used to send SMS notifications to the new Fitbit tracker models (Surge)

Please let us know if you have any questions about the Fitbit apps permissions in the Google Play store.

[Kikila]

I don't want to give permission for Fitbit to have access to my contacts I did not taxes the first time when I set this up but now it's too has access to my contact list. How do I get that off of my Fitbit don't want to notifying on my Fitbit right now.