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The integration of digital technologies into healthcare brings not only technical and legal challenges but also ethical ones. Wearables are capable of collecting and analyzing highly personal health data—and this has far-reaching effects on society. In this article, we address the ethical issues associated with the use of health wearables and examine the boundaries between innovation and individual rights.

1. Surveillance or Health Support?

While wearables help monitor health, they also carry the risk of becoming surveillance tools. The permanent recording of biometric data raises the question:

• Where is the line between self-monitoring and external control?
• Could employers or insurers one day use this data to evaluate behavior or performance?

Such scenarios shift the discussion from health optimization to social control.

2. Autonomy and Informed Consent

Ethically, it is important that users fully understand what data is collected and how it is used. However, privacy policies are often complex and difficult to interpret. Without real informed consent, users lose their autonomy and may unknowingly agree to data use they would otherwise reject.

3. Discrimination and Social Inequality

There is a risk that wearable-generated health data could lead to discriminatory practices:

• Health insurers might offer better rates to users with “healthy” data.
• Employers might screen candidates based on performance data.
• People without access to wearable technology might be excluded from new health services.

Such developments raise the issue of digital discrimination.

4. Responsibility and Trust

Who is responsible when a wearable provides incorrect health data that leads to wrong decisions? The lack of clear liability regulations can undermine trust in digital health technologies. Ethical use requires that manufacturers and service providers take responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of their systems.

5. Data Ownership and Control

Who owns the data generated by a wearable—the user, the manufacturer, or the platform operator? Ethically, the user should retain control and have the right to determine how the data is used and stored. However, this is not always the case in practice.

6. Balancing Innovation and Ethics

Technological progress must not come at the expense of individual rights. A responsible innovation culture is needed—one that involves ethics boards, interdisciplinary cooperation, and transparent governance mechanisms.

Conclusion: Ethical Awareness as a Guiding Principle

Digital health technologies such as wearables have the potential to improve lives—but only if used responsibly. Ethical considerations must be at the heart of development and implementation. Society needs to ensure that digital health promotes well-being without undermining freedom, equality, and dignity.

In the next article, we’ll take a closer look at an emerging trend:
“Biohacking and DIY Wearables – When Humans Become Platforms.”