Now I've completed half the programme (how on earth did that happen ?) I'm beginning to think I could use a running app, mainly to plan routes, and also, just for fun, to get some data on my runs. I've looked at a few of them on Google Play (Android user here) but I'm a bit concerned to find out that they all require me to give them access to all kinds of personal data.
Do you know of privacy friendly ones, or do I have to make a choice between tech fun and privacy ?
Personal data? There’s easy ways to get a new anonymous email account and then you can tell any app what you want. There’s no law that says you can’t use a false name on a running app.
Nike refuse to share data with any of the others, I guess that’s private... Strava let’s you turn off sharing your runs.
Do you know this hadn't even crossed my mind ? 😂 This would be a good solution, thanks !
Maybe I’m not as honest as you 😂
Strava is great 
It has all sorts of privacy options too like area around you run... so no one knows where you begin or end etc..
I think a few people need to turn that on... my mate many miles away changed jobs. When I went for the weekend he was surprised when he came out of work and I was parked next to his car, never told me where he was working, but his lunchtime runs gave it all away 😂
I read something a few months ago about security issues for the US military, Strava was giving away the routes run by soldiers on "secret" bases 😂
They never cease to amaze me with their stupidity... and these are soldiers, they let them near guns? I wonder how many haven’t turned off find my iPhone?
We have posted advice on this previously..maybe time for a re-post..
sorry to piggyback with a question, but if you can find out how to use Strava without it somehow finding out who your facebook friends are, that would be great - I didn't give it permissions for my contacts but it found them anyway and I was so perturbed I didn't look further into it, I just uninstalled.
I've had much better luck with mapmyrun! You don't have to put your name on there or anything and you can keep all your runs private there too. It didn't occur to me to sign up with a fake email though
Bear in mind, fellow android user, that you have to turn on your phone's location service, so make sure you turn off all the stuff associated with that otherwise! Google tracks you anyway but there's ways of minimizing what they keep, apparently...
Thanks, I'll look into MapMyRun too !
Hm. I just looked at my privacy thing, and they transfer your data to the USA, and they warn you that their laws are less strict than many countries. And you do have to tell them a gender and a birthday. Of course, these things don't have to be truthful either...
Uh-oh. Good to know. I had a peek at Strava and it seems you can have a say on what they collect – of course there are downsides too, for example you can't synchronize a running watch if you refuse them access to you personal health data.
I guess that’s a thing that needs reporting to android support... iOS doesn’t allow default access for sure. I guess they’ll be changing it for the EU regulations, but uptake of latest os isn’t so strong on Android.
Funniest solution I’ve seen to the new EU laws is by an Australian newspaper... they’ve just blocked all EU access to their site!
mmm to be fair it was probably before the new data protection came in, also I was on an old phone which didn't support the latest Android version. And I admit I just gave up on it immediately and stuck with mapmyrun which at least I knew how to use!
And yes, have seen a few USA sites do that as well! heh.
We are fortunate that wasn’t the response of any of the big companies.
It did not find any of my links... if you check the privacy settings..you have to grant permission..for virtually everything...🤔 I have had no issues...and any follower requests.. on Strava have to go to you..and you can allow or block..
You can share runs or make some or all private or just for your chosen friends.
Ah ok, thanks floss! I wanted to follow people from here to be honest, if they wanted to, but not have other people find me or for them to even know I am on there unless I tell them - weird though that may be! When I signed in I immediately got a request from a friend and I felt weird about that. I might look into it again as Strava does seem to do some nice things, not that I really really need anything fancy, but also the forum people seem to have quite a community
I wonder if there are any good paid-for options? As we should know, if something is free to use, it means you and your data are the product and someone else is buying it...
Usually... Nike just sell running gear off the back of theirs... Strava has a lot of paid subscribers for plans and beacon etc, maybe they don’t need to also sell?
Maybe. I saw that Under Armour, though they sell running and fitness gear, and have paid plans, still sell data from the MapMy... apps. Hmmmm... I sort of don't mind as long as I know what it is, preferably anonymised, and as long as it doesn't also involve the sort of privacy breach that means people know that there's a lone female runner in a particular place, sort of thing.
That’s a thought... get another device with a male profile and go take pictures at your local MMA club for it... run with both, and nobody will bother you!
Nike don’t even show your friends your map or run stats... they do alert them when you start a run, and they can send cheers to your device.
Checked this... Strava only sell Strava Metro. This is anonymised data from large groups of people using the app. They sell this data to local governments who wish to analyse cycling usage in their area, presumably to look into improving cycling routes. This data does not include those users who opt not to share their workouts. I also assume it doesn’t include running and walking data, yet. For the moment then your personal data in Strava is a safe as you want it to be.
I just downloaded Strava. I'm pleasantly surprised by how customizable the privacy settings are !
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