Samsung is pushing users to train AI with their personal health data or lose it
Samsung Health now requires users to consent to using their health data for AI training, or lose the ability to sync data, potentially rendering the app and Galaxy Watch less useful.
You'll soon need to divulge some of your Samsung Health tracking data to AI if you want to keep using the app as expected. How-To Geek has learned that users are seeing a new consent notice and toggle that effectively requires them to share health info if they want to keep syncing it with their Samsung accounts.
Samsung Health users are seeing a notice upon opening the app titled "Consent to the Use of Health Data for AI Training and Modelling." The notice clearly states that Samsung will use health data, including activity, health records, medication, and menstrual cycles, to inform its AI models, sometimes with "human review." It comes with a new toggle in the settings, and while you can opt-out, doing so pops up a warning that you will "not be able to sync health data" with your Samsung account and that it will be deleted unless the law requires otherwise.
It's not clear if Samsung can associate Health app content with specific users, although companies typically anonymize and aggregate data so that it can't be linked to individuals. How-To Geek has asked Samsung for more details, including when this was introduced and confirming the loss of functionality if you pull consent. We'll update if we receive a response.
Why is Samsung using my Health data to train AI?
It's relying on models to provide insights
Samsung already provides some AI coaching, but in June revealed a major Health app update where the technology would provide insights in multiple categories. AI will recommend workout plans, study your sleep data for problems, and even look at your nutritional choices.
These updates will first come to the Galaxy Watch 9 series expected at Samsung's July 22 Unpacked event, but are likely to come to older wearables over time.
That advice requires data, and collecting Health users' info theoretically produces insights with constantly improving accuracy and relevance.
While it's unlikely that Samsung or hackers will tie health statistics to certain people, the consent requirement is a greater concern. If you object to sharing your data for AI training, core syncing functionality stops — the app and your Galaxy Watch might become considerably less useful.
Brand
Samsung
Operating System
Wear OS
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