Smart Ring Review: Cool Health Tech, But Privacy Questions Remain

A new smart ring called the Ultrahuman Ring Pro has been reviewed for its ability to track detailed health information. The device monitors various body signals and provides extensive data about your physical condition. However, the reviewer noted it is both larger and more expensive than previous versions.

This represents the growing trend of wearable devices that constantly collect information about our bodies. This specific product does not pose a threat to families. However, it raises important questions about health tracking devices in general. If you or your kids wear fitness trackers, smart watches, or similar devices, they are collecting data about heart rate, sleep patterns, location, and activity levels.

This information lives on company servers and could be exposed in a data breach or shared with third parties.

1. Research the company's privacy policy to see what data they collect and who they share it with.
2. Check if the device requires creating an account and what information that account stores.
3. Look for reviews that specifically mention privacy and security, not just features.
4. Ask whether the data stays on your device or gets sent to company servers.
5. Find out if you can delete your data if you stop using the device. Long term, be thoughtful about the tracking devices you bring into your home. Just because technology can monitor something does not mean it should. Many fitness goals can be achieved with simpler tools that collect less data. If you do use wearables, periodically review the apps and accounts connected to them. Delete old accounts you no longer use. Teach kids that their health information is private and valuable, deserving the same protection as passwords and financial information.