These Machines Helps Users Hide Personal Data from Their Employer
Katherine Pendrill — October 27, 2015 — Tech
References: unfitbits & fastcoexist
'Unfit-Bits' is a series of machines that help users hide personal data from their employer. For those who belong to certain insurance companies, tracking daily activities through a Fitbit can translate into savings. While the program is designed to encourage physical activity, one group believes it is an invasion of personal privacy.
'Oscar' is the New York-based startup behind Unfit-Bits. The project consists of a variety of machines that can be used to fool fitness trackers. Users simply attach their Fitbit to a pendulum or drill and the device will do the work for them. The idea behind the project is to protest against companies gaining access to their employees' personal data. The group also wants to help those who are unable to exercise regularly. As the group explains, "The aim of this work is also to point out that steps taken is hardly a nuanced or holistic indicator for an individual's health."
The Unfit-Bits project pushes back against the idea of tying physical activity to financial gain by helping users hide personal data from their employer.
'Oscar' is the New York-based startup behind Unfit-Bits. The project consists of a variety of machines that can be used to fool fitness trackers. Users simply attach their Fitbit to a pendulum or drill and the device will do the work for them. The idea behind the project is to protest against companies gaining access to their employees' personal data. The group also wants to help those who are unable to exercise regularly. As the group explains, "The aim of this work is also to point out that steps taken is hardly a nuanced or holistic indicator for an individual's health."
The Unfit-Bits project pushes back against the idea of tying physical activity to financial gain by helping users hide personal data from their employer.
Trend Themes
1. Privacy-enhancing Wearables - The development of wearables and devices that allow users to hide personal data from employers presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the privacy and data protection industry.
2. Protest Tech - The emergence of protest tech, such as Unfit-Bits, creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in the activism and social justice space.
3. Holistic Health Metrics - The pushback against purely quantitative health metrics opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in the development of more nuanced and comprehensive indicators of individual health.
Industry Implications
1. Wearable Tech - The wearable technology industry can explore the development of privacy-enhancing wearables that allow users to control the sharing of personal data.
2. Activism - The activism industry can leverage protest tech tools and platforms to facilitate creative and impactful forms of social protest.
3. Health and Wellness - The health and wellness industry can seize the opportunity to innovate and create more holistic health metrics and indicators beyond simple step counts.
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