Exploring the Ethical Implications of Wearable Technology Hacking

Wearable technology has come a long way from the wristwatch calculator of the 1980s to contemporary fitness trackers that monitor heart rates and sleep patterns. These devices have become ubiquitous in recent years, with an ever-expanding range of applications; Wearables have countless potential benefits, but there are some ethical implications that come with using them, most notably the concern around their vulnerability to hacking. This article explores the ethical implications of wearable technology hacking.

The vast amounts of personal data collected by wearable technology makes it an attractive target for hackers, who can easily access personal information about individuals’ health status, location, and activity patterns. The fear of personal data theft or cybersecurity breaches is the most significant ethical concern associated with these new technologies.

Hacking activities involving wearables devices have been on the rise, with more reported cases surfacing every year. In 2017, The Food and Drug Administration released a warning about the complexity of medical devices, including implantables, that hold intimate personal and health data, stating, “The risk of unauthorized access, modification, or hacking, is considered a major safety concern that could compromise the device’s functionality and effectiveness, potentially resulting in patient harm.”

Wearable tech can indeed offer great benefits to individuals and society at large, so long as those benefits remain secure and private. As more sensitive information is collected under the guise of promising health benefits, the question remains: Do we know how secure the data is? Are we comfortable with sharing this information?

Without proper protection measures, these hacking activities can put users’ health and safety at great risk with their confidential and sensitive data put under unauthorized access.

The potential implications of wearable technology hacking raise several ethical questions that must be addressed. These vulnerabilities, which could lead to sensitive or personal information being taken without the owner’s consent, this can be used to target specific individuals with scams, fraud, or other unethical activities.

Also, wearable technology and the data collected present significant concerns over how it is shared, stored, and used under the Data Protection Act. Inappropriate sharing of this data can lead to discrimination against individuals or groups with chronic conditions, such as those with disabilities, mental health, or other illnesses.

In conclusion, wearable technology has revolutionized the health and fitness industry in recent years; however, the conveniences of these current technologies come with several ethical implications. As technology continues to advance further, protecting users’ data is crucial to ensure the future of wearable tech being sustainable. As such, stakeholders must find ways to support technology innovations while ensuring that cybersecurity risks are minimized and that the benefits outweigh the risks. They must ensure that their practices are ethical, transparent, and accountable in handling personal data, which benefits everyone in the end.