Medical devices and user privacy
Medical devices and user privacy
(edit: removed redundant rants and added updates)
I recently got diagnosed with a condition (sleep apnea) which means I need to use a machine (CPAP) to have a proper sleep, probably for the rest of my life. The doctor wanted me use the device for a few months, and bring the "report" generated by the device to monitor my progress and discuss further treatment.
I thought it would be a simple task, like using a program or accessing a local network service like a printer would and download a file. However, as I consulted to the device distributors in my area... their sales pitch (disregarding the actual medical functions) were:
A) The machine is constantly connected via wi-fi or cellular to manufacturer's server, and user downloads the report via manufacturer's website or an app.
B) The machine has an SD card slot to which data is copied, but user have to bring its contents to the authorized distributor so they can convert them into a report file.
TL;DR: Very unsatisfied with either options. I never asked for this.
Update #1: For the reports, there's a program called OSCAR (www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/) that supports conversion of SD card data. Check device compatibility first. For sleep apnea related discussion, there is a forum (www.apneaboard.com) dedicated to it.
Update #2: From all the available brands, I'm inclined to buy a Chinese brand (Yuwell) simply because of costs alone, even if it is not supported by OSCAR. I see a lot of people recommending ResMed (which has OSCAR support) both online and offline, but the cost is prohibitively expensive for someone in my financial situation with local market prices. Still have to think about it.
Update #3: There's an asshole in the comments arguing "what's so special" about sleep related statistics being copied around. My concern was how those statistics get associated with customer identification (metadata) as distributors often do. Anyways, won't waste my time with the "got nothing to hide" type of dumbfucks.
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I get your message, but I was not referring to the machine. I was referring that the what kind of data logged by the machine didn't matter in the context of privacy.
The kind of data logged by the machine is how often they stop breathing, and how long they sleep. That's literally all it does.
You can't be concerned about the data it transmits and also say the data it transmits doesn't matter in the context.
It's not the collected data itself that's the problem you dipshit. Don't you know that distributors often make customers sign contracts at lease or purchase for warranty and tie that customer data along with statistics? You must be fun at parties.
I am fun at parties. I actually go to them. And I don't worry about things like how much my freaking CPAP machine is spying on me lmao
No sense talking to a chatbot taking things literally at face value.
That's true, I agree. Not sure what that has to do with anything here but ok.