Samsung Health, a popular fitness and health tracking app for Galaxy phones, is taking a tentative step into the realm of family health monitoring.
According to a report by Android Authority, Samsung is prepping a feature that allows users to share their health data with others, likely parents or caregivers who need to keep an eye on children or elderly relatives.
While this might raise privacy concerns, Samsung seems to be taking a measured approach. The report suggests users will have granular control over what data is shared, with the ability to stop sharing entirely whenever they choose. Additionally, safeguards are apparently in place to ensure that only authorized users can access the information.
The screenshots from the report suggest that children (or presumably elderly users) will need a Galaxy phone to participate in data sharing from their Galaxy Watch. This is to likely tie users into Samsung’s ecosystem, requiring them to be fully invested in the brand’s hardware for this specific feature.
As for the children’s health data, it reportedly requires explicit consent from a parent or guardian’s account. There’s also mention of an inactivity clause where if the user sharing data or accessing data remains inactive for 90 days, the sharing will automatically stop, and the shared data will be deleted.
The report further suggests this feature might not be exclusive to the upcoming Galaxy Ring or Watch. Samsung may keep it limited to newer smartwatches for a while before rolling it out to older Galaxy Watches.
This upcoming feature positions Samsung Health as a more comprehensive health management platform. It remains to be seen how effectively the data sharing will be implemented and how users will receive alerts or insights based on the shared information. Regardless, this move signifies Samsung’s growing focus on health and wellness within its ecosystem.
