Experts caution that users of running apps should heighten their privacy settings to thwart potential stalkers and other malicious actors from accessing sensitive information regarding their activities.
While platforms like Strava enable joggers and hikers to share route details and performance metrics with friends and followers, tech company Altia raises concerns about the possibility of criminals constructing a detailed profile of users' routines, including their start and end points, potentially exposing their home addresses. Altia advises users to review their security settings, ensuring that sensitive information isn't shared publicly by default and recommending a switch to private settings if necessary.
Highlighting the surge in stalking and harassment offenses, Altia underscores the significance of safeguarding personal data on fitness apps. These apps, utilizing GPS technology, can meticulously track users' movements, map out their routes, and gather various performance metrics, including pace, time, elevation gain, heart rate, and calories burned.
With the popularity of apps like Strava soaring during the pandemic, Altia urges users to be vigilant, especially professionals in sensitive fields like security, law enforcement, banking, or the legal sector, who may inadvertently expose confidential information through their running activity.
Altia emphasizes the importance of maximizing app security settings and exercising caution regarding followers' activities and interactions. Users are advised to scrutinize their followers and assess whether their engagement seems genuine, as potential criminals could exploit the data for various purposes, including identifying secure or restricted locations like workplaces.
By prioritizing privacy settings and remaining vigilant, users can mitigate the risk of their data falling into the wrong hands while enjoying the benefits of fitness-tracking apps safely.
