Watches and armbands that measure how many steps you take each day, how many calories you burn, how long and deep you sleep, or how fast your heart is beating could lead to discrimination, warns a study on measuring personal data.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/ts
People who are well-informed about their bodies can recognise diseases earlier and in general tend to lead healthy lives, admitted the Centre for Technology AssessmentExternal link (TA-Swiss) on Thursday. They also said that the mass of data collected from these devices and apps could form an important basis for research.
However, the harmful social effects of such technology should not be overlooked, they added.
Self-assessment focuses on personal responsibility and self-improvement: one’s body is seen as the result of personal effort rather than biological fate. But the idea that individuals are in control of their physical condition can lead to a lack of social solidarity and to potential discrimination, the authors warned.
For example, if a disability prevents someone from walking a certain number of steps, this person risks being disadvantaged socially and being excluded from beneficial terms by insurance companies – who are very interested in such health data.
In addition, many trackers are technically inadequate and can give wearers false information.
Data protection is another grey area, the researchers found. Foreign service providers, in particular, often fail to adhere to Swiss regulatory requirements. “If a product comes from Asia or the US, it’s difficult for users to enforce their rights,” they said.
Quality label
Given the many open questions, the researchers called for the introduction of a quality label for lifestyle and health trackers.
This would need to be tested by consumer and patient organisations for data quality, data protection, terms of contract and user friendliness, they said, adding that the results must then be published.
At the same time, further studies should be carried out to determine whether such health self-assessments can actually improve one’s health and even lower health costs.
More
More
What your job title could tell you about your health
This content was published on
A Lausanne-based researcher wants public health interventions to include socioeconomic status as a disease risk factor.
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Beleaguered Swiss watch industry calls for political support
This content was published on
The Swiss watch industry is going through difficult times as global demand declines and the strong franc piles on the pressure.
This content was published on
Hollywood star Pamela Anderson will be honoured at the Zurich Film Festival for her career and role in the film The Last Showgirl.
Switzerland to host Ukraine mine action conference in October
This content was published on
Together with Ukraine, Switzerland is organising the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne on October 17 and 18.
Switzerland revises pension expenditure downwards by billions
This content was published on
The Swiss government has corrected downwards the projected expenditure on old-age and survivor insurance in 2033 by CHF2.5 billion ($2.66 billion).
Excess mortality rate post-Covid could persist until 2033
This content was published on
According to a report by reinsurer Swiss Re, many countries are still experiencing excess mortality following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swiss Army ends clean-up operation in storm-hit Maggia Valley
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces completed 76 flight hours during the clean-up operation following the storm in the Maggia Valley in Ticino at the end of June.
Swiss cruise ship stranded on Danube River after heavy rains
This content was published on
Passengers on a Swiss river-cruise ship stranded on the Danube following heavy rainfall are still unable to disembark in Vienna due to flooding.
Golden eagles get better at flying over time, say Swiss researchers
This content was published on
Golden eagles perfect their flight as they age and learn to make better use of air currents, says a new study co-produced by Swiss researchers.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
How two countries handle illness prevention
This content was published on
Preventive medicine is a big piece of the health care puzzle, yet has not always gotten the attention – or resources – it deserves.
This content was published on
“I’m too small, I’m just 1.50m,” 15-year-old Yvorna, a student at the Kirchenfeld Gymnasium school in Bern tells swissinfo.ch. Like many young people her age she’s happy with the way she looks in some ways, and not in others. With long dark hair and wearing silver-sparkly shoes, Yvorna explains her idea of what makes up…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.