We talked a lot here on the website ResearchKit (1, 2, 3), announced in 2015 by Apple. At the company's last special event, she announced her cousin (CareKit), which we also cover. What we haven't talked about yet, however, is that Apple started collecting data from these tools for its own research. In short, the company is now a secondary research body one level below hospitals and universities.
Some applications that send data to researchers now list Apple with a body that can also receive that information, something confirmed by Ma herself. Worrying? For some, yes. But, according to the company, it is an effort to learn and understand the performance and role of the technology present in iPhones in these application-based studies. In other words, how the advancement of the iPhone's own hardware can help advance studies.
We learned a lot about the powerful role that iPhones and Apple Watches can play in medical research, and we know that there is still much more that we can do. For some ResearchKit studies, Apple will be listed as a researcher, receiving data from participants who have allowed their data to be shared, so that we can participate with the research community in exploring how technology can improve the way people manage their health.
The company also recalls that, in order to receive this data, users must be over 18 years old and obviously need to consent to the sharing of this information first with primary researchers (hospitals and universities); then, if they want, they can also share with secondary researchers (where Apple fits). Users can revoke access to data at any time. Apple pointed out, however, that the information is encrypted, anonymous (the company does not collect information such as name / surname and locations) and is stored on Ma's own servers more about the company's privacy. on this link.
First of all, two applications can already send data to Apple: MoleMapper (which monitors users' skin) and mPower (which monitors Parkinson's disease) both unavailable in the Brazilian App Store.
Good or bad, this movement proves that Apple is migrating to other areas since, in presenting the platforms, the company said that it would not collect data even if it is for the advancement and development of its own hardware for, in the end, improve searches.
(via Mashable)
