Tech companies collect more data about us than ever before, and that includes what’s on your wrist. Modern smartwatches track your heart rate, sleep, location, workouts and much more. All that information says a lot about your health, habits and daily life – so the big question is: where does this data go, and who can see it? In this guide we compare popular smartwatches with a focus on privacy.
The big three compared
Apple Watch – strong encryption in a closed ecosystem
The Apple Watch is by far the best-selling smartwatch in the world – but what about privacy? Overall, Apple’s approach looks solid. A major advantage is that health data can be stored end-to-end encrypted when synced with iCloud. That means even Apple can’t read the actual content of that data.
Privacy advantages:
- Health information is encrypted on your iPhone before syncing
- Apple’s business model is based on hardware and services, not advertising
- Strong encryption for data stored locally and (optionally) in iCloud
- Clear information about data usage via App Store Privacy Labels
- Health data is not used for ad targeting
- Most iCloud Health data is end-to-end encrypted
Privacy concerns:
- Requires an Apple ID and locks you into the Apple ecosystem
- By default, a lot of information is synced to iCloud (you can turn this off)
- Apple may collect diagnostic data and usage statistics
- Third-party apps can request access to your health data (with your consent)
- Sharing data with insurers, health apps or other services is easy – and that can be risky
- No European-based manufacturer
The Apple Watch (for example the Series 11) offers better privacy than many competitors, but still requires you to trust Apple with a lot of your data and to rely on a closed ecosystem. If you already use an iPhone and are comfortable with Apple’s policies, it can be a good privacy compromise.
Garmin smartwatches – strong choice for privacy-conscious athletes
Among the major brands, Garmin stands out as a relatively privacy-friendly option. Unlike big tech companies that earn money from data and ads, Garmin primarily makes money by selling devices and optional subscriptions. That difference in business model has real consequences for how your data is handled.
Privacy advantages of Garmin:
- Most data is stored locally on the watch by default
- No advertising-driven business model – they earn from hardware, not your data
- Cloud sync via Garmin Connect is optional and can largely be disabled
- Privacy policy is relatively straightforward compared to many “big tech” rivals
- A lot of functionality works even with minimal account usage
- Only limited data is collected for product improvement
Disadvantages:
- Cloud storage does not appear to be fully end-to-end encrypted, so in theory Garmin could access the data and it might be exposed in a breach
- Garmin devices often mount as USB storage, which can make it relatively easy to access data if you do not take extra measures
Popular models like the Garmin Fenix, Forerunner, Venu and Epix series offer very advanced sports tracking with a lot of control over how your data is handled. For runners, triathletes and outdoor fans who care about privacy, Garmin is often the best “big brand” choice.
You can decide how much data to share with Garmin, but once you use Garmin Connect, information is automatically uploaded. Android users who want more control can also look at open-source companions like GadgetBridge.
![Garmin Venu 2 45 mm slate rand van roestvrij staal met zwarte behuizing en siliconen polsband [wifi]](https://www.devproblems.com/wp-json/wp-jt-plugin/v1/image?src=garmin-venu-2-45-mm-slate-rand-van-roestvrij-staal-met-zwarte-behuizing-en-silic_20306.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Watch – powerful hardware, more privacy challenges
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line offers impressive displays, performance and features. However, from a privacy perspective it is one of the more “data-hungry” options among the major brands.
Privacy issues:
- Samsung account is required for most features
- Extensive data collection for “personalisation”, recommendations and advertising
- Data is shared across various Samsung services and apps
- Lots of tracking and analytics enabled by default
- Privacy settings are scattered across multiple menus and apps
- Samsung Health can share data with a wide range of partners and integrated apps
Positives:
- You can disable many tracking features, if you are willing to dig through the settings
- Certain health data can remain stored locally
- Within Europe, GDPR rules provide some additional legal protection
For privacy-conscious users, the Galaxy Watch is not the first recommendation. You’ll need to spend time hardening the privacy settings and must accept that Samsung still gathers a significant amount of data in the background.
Alternative privacy-focused options
Withings ScanWatch
French manufacturer Withings focuses on medical-grade measurements and relatively privacy-friendly design. Where possible, data is processed locally and the apps give you clear controls over which data is synced. As a European company, Withings must comply with strict GDPR rules, which is an extra layer of protection. It’s a strong option if you want health tracking without a full-blown app ecosystem. However, according to Withings’ own documentation, health data does not appear to be fully end-to-end encrypted, which means the company could technically see your information in the cloud.
Pine64 PineTime
For true privacy purists there is the PineTime: an open-source smartwatch from Pine64 that runs community-developed firmware. There are no mandatory cloud services, you can audit the code yourself and you control which companion apps (often open-source) you use. The trade-off is that the watch is simpler, features can be less polished and you may need some technical curiosity to get the most out of it.
Bangle.js 2
The Bangle.js 2 is another open-source smartwatch designed with transparency in mind. It runs JavaScript apps, the firmware is open and there are no built-in data collection pipelines. You decide what runs on the watch and which services it connects to. Just like PineTime, this is mainly suitable for more technical users who enjoy tinkering.
AsteroidOS – open-source smartwatch platform
AsteroidOS is an open-source operating system that runs on a selection of existing smartwatches (mainly older Wear OS / Android Wear models). Instead of relying on Google’s ecosystem, you replace the stock firmware with AsteroidOS, which focuses on openness and minimal data collection.
Privacy advantages of AsteroidOS:
- No Google account or proprietary cloud required to use the watch
- Open-source code: in principle anyone can audit how data is processed
- Designed to work with open-source companion apps that keep data on your phone
- No built-in advertising or tracking frameworks
Disadvantages:
- Only supports a limited list of watch models, and installation requires some technical skills
- Fewer polished apps and integrations than mainstream platforms
- Community-driven project: features and updates depend on volunteer work
AsteroidOS is especially interesting if you already own a compatible watch and want to “de-Google” it. From a privacy perspective it’s a big improvement over many default firmwares, but it clearly targets enthusiasts and tinkerers rather than the average consumer.
Privacy ranking
- Open-source platforms and watches (PineTime, Bangle.js, AsteroidOS) – Maximum control and transparency, but less polished and more technical.
- Apple Watch – Strong encryption and clear policies, but within a tightly controlled commercial ecosystem.
- Garmin – Balance between rich sports features and relatively restrained data collection.
- Withings – Good option for health-focused users who want a European company and a simpler ecosystem.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch – Powerful hardware and features, but substantial data collection and complex privacy settings.
What to look for in a privacy-friendly smartwatch
When comparing smartwatches from a privacy perspective, pay attention to the following points:
Business model: Does the company make money from selling hardware and subscriptions, or from data and ads? The more a company relies on advertising, the stronger its incentive to collect data.
Data storage: Is your information stored locally on the watch and phone, or is it always pushed to the cloud? If it goes to the cloud, is it end-to-end encrypted or not?
Account requirements: Can you use the watch with minimal or no account, or is a full profile with lots of permissions required?
Privacy policy: Is the policy understandable and specific about what is collected and why, or is it vague and full of marketing language?
Default settings: How much tracking is enabled out of the box? Products that respect privacy tend to collect less by default and let you opt in to extra data sharing.
Legal protection: Companies based in the EU must comply with GDPR, which gives you extra rights over your data (access, deletion, portability, etc.).
Why smartwatch privacy matters
Smartwatches collect highly sensitive health data: heart rate, sleep quality, stress levels, menstrual cycle, oxygen saturation and more. Combined over time this can reveal medical conditions, lifestyle patterns and even where you are at certain times of the day. With many mainstream brands this data is uploaded to the cloud, analysed and sometimes used for personalisation, statistics or even advertising. That makes it important to know which brands treat your data carefully – and which don’t.
Practical privacy tips
Whatever smartwatch you choose, you can take extra steps to protect your privacy:
- Disable unnecessary permissions in the companion app (contacts, microphone, full-time location, etc.)
- Where possible, prefer local storage over cloud sync
- Limit location access to “only while using the app” instead of “always”
- Regularly review which apps and services can access your health and activity data
- Read the privacy policy at least once and use available opt-out options for analytics and ads
- Consider using a separate email address just for your smartwatch account
- Disable ad personalisation and tracking IDs in your phone’s settings
- Be very cautious about sharing health or activity data with insurers or employers
Conclusion
There is no such thing as a perfectly private smartwatch, but some choices are clearly better than others. For most people, Garmin offers the best mix of serious sports features and relatively modest data collection. The Apple Watch is a strong second choice if you are already deep into the Apple ecosystem and are comfortable trusting Apple with your data. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line delivers great hardware, but you have to accept more extensive tracking and spend time locking down the settings.
For privacy extremists and tinkerers, open-source options like PineTime, Bangle.js and AsteroidOS give you far more control – at the cost of convenience and polish. Withings is an attractive middle ground for people who mainly want health monitoring from a European company without a huge app store.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your personal priorities and technical skills. The good news: you do not have to choose between “smart” and “private”. With the right watch, the right platform and the right settings, you can get useful insights from your wrist without giving away your entire life.
Last Updated on 15 December 2025
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