Google/Fitbit will monetise health data and harm consumers [pdf]
This will do great harm in markets where there are no protection for health data.<p>Health insurers in my country(India) are already discriminatory, top health insurers here denied me health insurance because I disclosed my disabilities[1] despite Govt. guidelines against blanket denial of policies for the disabled. This is pretty much the case for anyone who discloses their disability truthfully here[2][3].<p>This is because they're not keeping in sync with the progress in medical science, why should my orthopedic troubles be a risk factor for providing insurance to cover COVID-19 treatment?<p>Now with say health data from devices, they'll likely find more statistical data to deny coverage (with some obscure reason) or increase premium to many even if the applicant isn't sick and thereby denying a chance of health insurance coverage if they really get sick. Especially when an unqualified underwriter decides whether I should get a health insurance or not.<p>[1]<a href="https://abishekmuthian.com/insurers-are-putting-the-lives-of-sick-and-disabled-at-risk-during-covid-19-pandemic/" rel="nofollow">https://abishekmuthian.com/insurers-are-putting-the-lives-of...</a><p>[2]<a href="https://www.indiaspend.com/covid-19-insurers-are-denying-policies-to-disabled-despite-govt-strictures/" rel="nofollow">https://www.indiaspend.com/covid-19-insurers-are-denying-pol...</a><p>[3]<a href="https://twitter.com/pavinann/status/1339952358235631625" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/pavinann/status/1339952358235631625</a>