Warning: *Privacy Not Included with this product
Huawei Honor Band 5
Huawei
Bluetooth
This fitness tracker comes from Chinese tech manufacturer Huawei and tracks all things standard fitness trackers do — heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleeps, stress, steps, calories and more. While available in Europe, it might be hard to find these products in North America because of the ban on Huawei products in the US over privacy and security concerns. We did find that the collection and use of health-related data is not described in their privacy policy and the privacy policy link on their webpage links to an old privacy policy last updated in 2018. The support email they offer for the US is now defunct.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
Huawei's technology is basically blocked in the US. Many other countries around the world have issued bans on some of its technology. What does that mean for Huawei's fitness bands that are still popular in Europe and elsewhere around the world? Huawei meets our Minimum Security Standards, which is good. Their privacy policy says they do not share personal data with other companies or organizations without legitimate interest. What counts as a legitimate interest feels open to interpretation. A flag for us was how they collect and use of health-related data is not described in the privacy policy. That's an important omission. For users in the US, the privacy policy on the web page links to an old privacy policy last updated in 2018. The Google Play store linked to a more recent privacy policy. The multiple privacy policies led our research to email what turned out to be a now defunct email address: [email protected]. Not really confidence inspiring.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: No
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: No
App: Yes
Tracks location
Device: No
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
No
Phone
No
Third-party account
No
What data does the company collect?
Personal
Name, email, phone number, address
Body related
Heart rate, movement, sleep data, menstrual cycle, blood oxygen levels, and more
Social
How does the company use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?
Huawei has been indicted for corporate espionage in the United States for stealing trade secrets from US companies. The Huawei CFO is being held on charges of fraud in Canada.
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Encrypts data on the app and encrypts communications.
Strong password
The device pairs securely via Bluetooth, which does not require a password.
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Huawei has a bug bounty program, which means that anyone who finds a security issue and discloses it responsibly may get paid. https://www.huawei.com/us/psirt/report-vulnerabilities
Privacy policy
The collection and use of health-related data is not described in the privacy policy. Privacy policy link on the webpage links to an old privacy policy last updated in 2018. The Google Play store linked to a more recent privacy policy. The multiple privacy policies led our research to email what turned out to be a now defunct email address: [email protected].
Does the product use AI?
Is this AI untrustworthy?
What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?
Is the company transparent about how the AI works?
Does the user have control over the AI features?
Dive Deeper
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UK found flaw of 'national significance' in Huawei tech, says reportSteve Ranger
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Commerce Department Further Restricts Huawei Access to U.S. Technology and Adds Another 38 Affiliates to the Entity ListU.S. Department of Commerce
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The US Hits Huawei With New Charges of Trade Secret TheftKlint Finley
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Canada prosecutors say fraud at heart of Huawei CFO Meng's U.S. extradition caseTessa Vikander
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Huawei ban timeline: Company sues Trump administration over documents linked to CFO's arrestSean Keane
Comments
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