There are a ton of privacy risks that smartwatch users expose themselves to. From invasive companies that mine their data to expansive data leaks, or individual cyber attacks.
So, if you are the proud owner of a smartwatch and you want to protect yourself from all of these risks, you’ll need to:
- Remove unnecessary app permissions.
- Uninstall the apps you no longer use.
- Update smartwatch software frequently.
- Disable unauthorized pairing of your smartwatch with other devices.
- Set-up a guest Wi-Fi network in your home for the people that visit you.
- Use a VPN provider to encrypt your personal information.
From our research and extensive tests, NordVPN is the best VPN provider to use with your smartwatch, as it has top-notch encryption to safeguard your data, hide your location, and keep you anonymous.
Read the full article below to find out more about the privacy risks of smartwatches and how to protect yourself.
Smartwatches are incredibly useful devices. They track important health information, send you notifications to check your messages if your smartphone is not nearby, and they can even connect to other smart devices in your home.
There are many benefits to owning a smartwatch. Unfortunately, there are a lot of downsides, too, especially when it comes to the privacy and security of your data. In this article, we’ll cover what the main smartwatch privacy risks are and what you can do to safeguard the sensitive information your smartwatch has access to.
Is Smartwatch Privacy a Serious Concern?
Smartwatch privacy is a serious concern because of the vast amounts of sensitive data these little devices hold. According to Statista, the smartwatch market worldwide is expected to grow by 8% each year from 2023-2027. Therefore, the number of smartwatch users will increase along with the amount of data available on these devices.
Smartwatches contain different kinds of sensitive information, from your banking details to your health data. This can make smartwatches a prime target for data-hungry companies and hackers alike.
If the data on your smartwatch is compromised, the results can be devastating. A few years ago, researchers from AV-Test discovered a vulnerability in a popular kid’s smartwatch device that allowed hackers to access the communications, personal data, and even the live location of over 5,000 children.
The above information gives you a very clear indication of the wide range of smartwatch security risks and how a seemingly harmless device like a smartwatch can be dangerous.
Six Key Smartwatch Privacy Risks
There are several smartwatch privacy risks, from smartwatch companies tracking your activity online to hackers gaining access and complete control of your smart home. In the hands of malicious actors, your personal data can also be used to defraud you, steal your online accounts, and more. Below we explain in detail some of the main smartwatch privacy risks.
1. Data collection
The age of the internet brought about an unprecedented amount of data collection. Big tech companies know a lot about you, and they often get that information directly from you. For example, when you fill out a sign-up form, you potentially part with your name, email address, IP address, and more.
Smartwatches are no different, and they can be used by companies to collect information like:
- Your preferences, likes, and dislikes
- Online and offline habits
- Your location history
- Personal information like age, name, gender, device ID
- Purchasing decisions
This smartwatch data is often used to tailor the ads you see when you browse the internet. You might be ok with this deal, but for a lot of people, this data collection feels invasive.
However, you can prevent smartwatch companies from accessing some of your personal information, like your IP address or your location. To do that, you can download a VPN app on your phone.
NordVPN is our top VPN provider here at VPNOverview and a service we have extensively tested regarding its security features. So if you download NordVPN on your phone, you can then connect your smartwatch to it and hide your data, including your IP and location.
2. Tracking
Companies that mine your data don’t stop at what you give them on sign-up. They will usually ask for your permission to further track your online (and offline) activities. All your devices do this, but when you use a smartwatch, companies have access to more valuable information than usual. Hence, smartwatch privacy becomes a concern here.
Wearable technology is literally strapped on your wrist, connected to your bank account and most of your online accounts. Depending on what data these devices collect, they’ll keep track of the following:
- The websites you visit
- Your biometric data
- Your live GPS location
- The networks you use to connect to the internet
No matter how you feel about big tech companies having access to users’ personal data, that level of tracking is definitely concerning for many smartwatch users.
3. Data leaks
Let’s say you trust all the companies tracking your every move and collecting as much data as they legally can. Even if all of them are ethical actors, processing your data with care, nothing will protect your personal information in case of a data leak. And these things happen often. Over 1,800 data leaks took place last year in the US alone, according to Statista. These breaches compromised the records of over 420 million people.
With smartwatches having access to so much sensitive information, here’s what kind of data can fall into the wrong hands in case of a data leak:
- Your personal information, including name, address, and sometimes even Social Security Number
- Sensitive health information collected by the smartwatch
- Login credentials to all the online platforms connected to your smartwatch
- Credit card and other payment information
- Digital identifiers like your IP address, device ID, or browser fingerprint
- Remote access information to smart home devices
If the apps that collect your data have a vulnerability (spoiler: most of them do), hackers will use it and gain access to that data, which again shows that smartwatch security risks need to be considered seriously if you own such a device.
4. Hacks and other attacks
Hackers don’t always target app vulnerabilities to expose millions of records. More often, they target individual users through phishing attempts or other online attacks. Most types of cybersecurity threats can affect wearable devices, just like they would a smartphone or laptop. For example, you could be tricked by hackers into giving away access to your online accounts.
Smartwatches can also be hacked with technical exploits. For example, the Bluetooth technology that smartwatches use to connect to other smart devices has had numerous vulnerabilities in the past. Out-of-date software on the smartwatch is also easy to exploit, as are some apps you download on such devices.
If a hacker was able to access your smartwatch, they would get access to all the sensitive information you’ve stored there, as well as information exchanged with connected devices. Hence, your smartwatch privacy would be seriously compromised.
A breach in the Bluetooth connection is all it takes. The email from your bank, the message from social media, and the text from your significant other can all be sent through Bluetooth. Any notification passed to your smartwatch could be intercepted by a hacked Bluetooth connection. And they might even use this opportunity to put malicious code into other devices connected to your network.
5. Network vulnerabilities
If your smartwatch is compromised, whatever malware got on it can then jump on your home network and further infect anything else connected to it. In some cases, this kind of security threat can remain undetected for years, all while it’s harvesting your personal data.
However, the reverse is also true. Your smartwatch can be compromised, even if it’s in tip-top security shape. All it takes is for one device on your network to be infected. If that happens, any sensitive information you have on your smartwatch will be visible to the prying eyes of malicious actors.
6. Smart home access
Smartwatches and smart homes play really well together. Thirty years ago, the thought of controlling your home appliances, your locks, your curtains, or anything else from your wrist was science fiction. Today, it’s a reality.
But this reality can be unsettling. What if someone were to gain control of your smartwatch? Couldn’t they, theoretically, control your home, even unlock your doors? The sad truth is that you don’t even have to imagine such a vulnerability. This actually happened back in 2019, when cybersecurity researchers discovered a way to hack Zipato smart hubs to unlock doors.
Don’t despair. For all the privacy concerns and risks of smartwatches, there are a lot of security measures you can employ to protect yourself, and one of them is using a VPN provider like NordVPN to safeguard your home network. You can install NordVPN on your router or your phone and connect your smartwatch to these devices, as we will discuss in more detail below.
How to Mitigate Smartwatch Security Risks
Even though it’s hard to be 100% protected from cybercrime at all times, there are ways to mitigate smartwatch security risks and enhance your smartwatch privacy by following the steps below.
1. Check app permissions
When you install new apps on your smartwatch, they will ask for permission to collect certain types of data. The most common permission they’ll ask for is access to your location data. Many of these apps continue to collect your location data even after you’ve stopped using them. That’s why it’s a smart idea to check your smartwatch’s app permissions and deactivate anything that doesn’t make sense.
Location services are a good place to start your search. Here’s how to update permissions on most Android smartwatches:
- Tap on “Settings.”
- Open the “App & Notifications” menu.
- Tap on “App Permissions.”
- Browse the apps and deactivate crucial permissions from apps you don’t use anymore.
The situation’s a bit more complicated on Apple watches. Currently, there’s no menu for this in the watchOS. Apps on your Apple Watch have the same permissions they have on your iPhone. If you want to edit them, you’ll need to do it from the associated iOS account on an iPhone. Here’s how to do that:
- Open the “Settings” menu on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Privacy and Security.”
- Open the “App Privacy Report.”
- Modify app permissions based on what you need on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
2. Uninstall unnecessary apps
Old apps don’t just take up space on your smartwatch. They also collect data in the background, and they’re an added security risk when it comes to smartwatch privacy. Hackers can always find new vulnerabilities in them. To help mitigate this risk, we recommend uninstalling apps you don’t use anymore or doing what we call an “app cleanse.”
Here’s how to do that on Wear OS:
- Press the power button.
- Find the Play Store app and tap it.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Tap on “My Apps.”
- Uninstall all the apps you don’t need anymore.
And here’s how to do that on an Apple Watch:
- Access your apps by pressing the Digital Crown.
- Tap and hold anywhere on the display until an options screen appears.
- Open the “Edit Apps” screen.
- Tap the delete button (a small “x“) on any app you want to delete.
A poorly designed app may be more vulnerable to hacking, hence leading to several smartwatch security risks. A cybercriminal needs just one crack in your security to gain access to your device. Once in the system, they can often expand their ability to gain control of other services on your device.
If an app maker leaves a vulnerability in place, a hacker might seize the opportunity to gain information from your device. That’s why it’s important to be vigilant with the apps you keep on your phone.
3. Use a VPN
A VPN is an extremely valuable tool for protecting you online and, in this case, for safeguarding your smartwatch privacy. It will hide and change your IP address, making you anonymous and encrypting your connection. If you’re worried about personal information like your home address being exposed, you need to invest in a top VPN provider like NordVPN, which we have tested extensively and highly recommend.
Unfortunately, Wear OS and watchOS don’t support VPN apps natively. So if you want to protect your privacy while using a smartwatch, you’ll need to only connect via a smartphone that has the NordVPN app running on it. NordVPN has military-grade encryption to hide your data and a Threat Protection feature that will safeguard you from malware.
We constantly test dozens of VPN apps to know which is the safest, most secure pick, and in this case, it is NordVPN. Check out our NordVPN review to find out more about how this top-rated VPN service can protect your sensitive data.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
However, if you’ve never used a VPN before, here’s how to enable it for your smartwatch:
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN provider. NordVPN is our top pick for smartwatches.
- Download the VPN app on your smartphone. NordVPN is available for Android and iOS devices.
- Enable a VPN connection on nearby servers. This will guarantee the fastest connection speed.
- Turn your mobile phone into a virtual router.
- Turn off your smartwatch’s Wi-Fi and only connect to the internet via your phone.
Alternatively, you can also install a VPN on your router. Since that’s a lot more difficult, though, we recommend sticking with the NordVPN app on your phone instead. NordVPN has top-notch encryption protocols that will protect your personal data and keep you anonymous in all your online activities while using your smartwatch.
4. Update smartwatch software regularly
It’s tempting to hit “Install Later” whenever you’re prompted about a software update. But while we understand the annoyance of having to stop using a device when you are immersed in a task, it’s a small price to pay for the protection you get. Software updates don’t just facelift your OS or apps. They come with indispensable security updates and patches to previous vulnerabilities.
So we recommend you update your smartwatch software regularly. The same goes for your smartwatch apps and all the other devices you use. if you care about your online safety and privacy, it’s best to always tap “Install Now.”
5. Block unauthorized pairing
Unauthorized pairing can be used by hackers to gain access to your device, especially if they’ve found a Bluetooth pairing vulnerability to exploit. Luckily, most modern smartwatches only allow authorized pairing by default. If you have a wearable from Samsung or Apple, you’re most likely in the clear as your smartwatch privacy is protected.
But if you use any other provider, or if you just want to be sure, go into your Settings and block unauthorized pairing to enhance Bluetooth safety on your smartwatch.
The way to do that will depend on your smartwatch brand, but usually you’ll need to open the main settings menu and look for Bluetooth Settings. There, you’ll find more options on pairing rules and other Bluetooth-related settings.
6. Set up a guest Wi-Fi network
A guest Wi-Fi network can protect your home connection and give you an extra layer of security in case you’re dealing with a virus on any of your devices or your visitors’ devices. It can also be a smart idea if you often have people over and you don’t want everybody to have access to the same network that can be used to mine your personal information.
Setting it up is also not that hard. It will depend a lot on what router you’re using. But most often, you’ll need to access your router’s settings and look for a “Guest Network” option on your router’s Dashboard.
You then just have to follow your router’s instructions, like setting up a separate password for the network and giving it a name.
If you want to find out more, read our detailed guide on how to configure your router for extra privacy and security.
7. Enable two-factor authentication on smartwatch apps
Two-factor authentication (or 2FA) forces you to confirm your identity whenever you log into third-party apps. Usually, this is done via an SMS code or a notification on a trusted device. It’s just an extra step during the login process.
But it’s one of the best security settings you can enable to protect your smartwatch and all the apps you have an account with. Moreover, with 2FA, you can reduce smartwatch security risks that can come without having this feature.
Conclusion: Smartwatch Privacy and How to Protect Yourself
Smartwatch privacy risks are real, and if you don’t take the right security measures, your information could be in danger. Tech companies collect data like your name, location, IP address, and plenty more sensitive data snippets.
A smartwatch (and a fitness tracker) is strapped onto your body most of the time, so it has access to biometric data and other health information. And even if you don’t see that as an invasion of privacy, you won’t be happy when a smartwatch data breach happens.
So take the right measures to protect yourself while using your smartwatch. Update app permissions, uninstall unused apps, always update your software, and be mindful of the networks you use. Finally, don’t forget to use a VPN to mask your IP address, hide your true location, and secure your connection.
To learn more about the privacy risks of other devices you may be using on your day-to-day, check out the articles below:
- Smartphone Privacy: Understand the Risks and Protect Yourself
- The Privacy Risks of Your Fitness Tracker
- The Privacy Risks of Your Baby Monitor
Are you still unsure about how to secure your smartwatch? Check our FAQ section below for more information!
If used carelessly, smartwatches aren’t safe. They have access to very sensitive personal information, so they need to be handled with care. If you want a detailed guide on how to do that, read our entire article on smartwatch privacy.
Yes, smartwatches are generally safe for your health. They can actually help you exercise and keep track of your workout! But if you experience any discomfort while wearing the smartwatch, take it off and contact your doctor.
Yes, you can maintain privacy with a smartwatch as long as you take some online safety measures. Just make sure you review your app permissions constantly, uninstall unused apps, use a VPN, update your software, and secure your home network.
This article is mostly focused towards security than privacy. All the things mentioned here is what can hackers do if they hack the watch and steals personal data. But the same damage can be done by the brand of the smart watch. The only difference is that hacking is more targeted but the company steals the data of all the smartwatch owners. Using VPN will not help here. And it is more common than getting the smartwatch hacked. But nothing about this is mentioned here.
Thank you for your comment! You’re right that attacks that might affect your privacy and security can come from two sides: outside forces like hackers that get their hands on your data, and the companies that own the devices themselves who you share your data with just by using the product. That’s why it’s incredibly important to research the company behind your smartwatch and read through their privacy policy. For any device, you’ll have to trust the company behind it in order to use it.