Garmin Connect™ Security & Privacy Scorecard
Android
Fitness activity, location, and health data are shared with multiple analytics and advertising services. Components from Baidu, Alipay, and Tencent process portions of user data through Chinese platforms alongside Western services like Firebase and Microsoft. The advertising ID is collected, linking workout and movement patterns to ad targeting across apps.
Best for
Garmin device owners comfortable with broad data sharing
Findings
- 0 critical
- 0 high
- 0 medium
- 0 low
- 0 info
0 issues identified across security and privacy analysis.
Top security issues
- Cleartext Traffic Allowed for Production Domains
- Unencrypted Storage of OAuth Tokens and Sensitive Health Data
- JavaScript Interface with Direct Database Access
Top privacy issues
- Accessibility State Profiling Without Consent (GDPR Article 9 Violation)
- Multiple Analytics SDKs Contradict Play Store Data Safety Claims
- Google Advertising ID Collection Without Justification
Full analysis
Garmin Connect™
Version: 5.20.2 | Platform: Android | Analyzed: 2026-01-22
Overall Security: 42/100 | Privacy: 48/100
What This Means for You
Fitness activity, location, and health data are shared with multiple analytics and advertising services. Components from Baidu, Alipay, and Tencent process portions of user data through Chinese platforms alongside Western services like Firebase and Microsoft. The advertising ID is collected, linking workout and movement patterns to ad targeting across apps.
Recommendation: Use With Caution
Best For: Garmin device owners comfortable with broad data sharing
Key Findings
Data Security - 4 findings (1 critical, 1 high, 2 medium)
Network Security - 3 findings (1 critical, 1 high, 1 medium)
Code Safety - 0 findings
Privacy - 4 findings (3 high, 1 medium)
Privacy Concerns
What Data is Collected
- Fitness and workout activity records
- GPS location and movement patterns
- Health metrics including heart rate, sleep, and step counts
- Advertising ID, which links activity to a cross-app behavioral profile
- Device identifiers
Third-Party Data Sharing
Data is shared with the following services:
- Firebase Analytics - behavioral analytics (Google)
- Microsoft Application Insights - usage and performance analytics
- Google Play Services Measurement - advertising measurement
- Google Advertising ID - cross-app ad targeting
- Baidu Cloud Push - push notifications processed through a Chinese platform
- Alipay SDK - data processing through a Chinese platform
- Tencent Services - analytics and data processing through a Chinese platform
- Mapbox Maps SDK - mapping and location processing
- Google Maps API - mapping and location processing
- Strava - fitness data integration
Understanding the Scores
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 42/100 |
| Privacy | 48/100 |
| Data Security | 35/100 |
| Network Security | 40/100 |
| Code Safety | 45/100 |
| Data Collection | 52/100 |
| Data Sharing | 50/100 |
| User Control | 60/100 |
Positive Security Features
- App uses the standard Android permission model to gate access to device sensors and location
Areas for Improvement
- Health and fitness data is shared with a broad set of third-party services well beyond what is needed to sync with a Garmin device, including advertising networks that build behavioral profiles across apps.
- Location and movement data flows through both Western and Chinese third-party platforms, subjecting it to multiple legal jurisdictions with different privacy protections.
- The advertising ID collected by this app connects workout and health data to a wider profile used for ad targeting in other apps on the device.
About This Analysis
This scorecard is generated through automated static analysis of the app's code and behavior patterns. Scores reflect the security and privacy posture of the version analyzed and may change with app updates.
App Details
- App: Garmin Connect™
- Package: com.garmin.android.apps.connectmobile
- Version: 5.20.2
- Platform: Android
- Scan Date: 2026-01-22
Versions & scan history
| Scan | Date | Overall score |
|---|---|---|
| #1 (current) | 45/100 |