Auto-Upload still forced on, and it's time to get that fixed.
The screen with the Device Settings (Fenix 2) in GCM 3.76 still contains a grayed-out Auto Upload control and beneath it is text "Off".
I have shown this to a few people and everyone interpreted it as meaning "Auto Upload is set to Off, so this application will not upload anything". Which would be in line with Garmin's privacy agreement, which states that uploading data is "voluntary".
But the screen is misleading. When you review the device sync logs, they list "#Auto Upload=true" and everything is uploaded from the device without any prior warning, and without the users consent.
So, GCM version 3.5 and up is not usable for anyone who wants to keep their very sensitive and personal data private. It does not honor Garmins Privacy Agreement. There was a working control to enable or disable uploading in GCM 3.4 and below - it just has to be re-enabled.
Regardless of how well Garmin tries to protect user's data, if customers don't want their data to go anywhere, they should never be forced to upload it against their will.
You could always change your privacy settings in Garmin Connect so no one can see your activities. Same with Strava.
Personally, the sooner things are uploaded, the better as it means you can't really lose your data. I have Auto Upload enabled, but control who sees my data by setting it to Private initially and then change it later if I want.
You could always change your privacy settings in Garmin Connect so no one can see your activities. Same with Strava.
Personally, the sooner things are uploaded, the better as it means you can't really lose your data.
Uploading should be voluntary. If you want it, fine! But if you don't, you should not be forced to.
Privacy in Garmin Connect may very well be excellent, but the point is that I have no need to upload the data at all (I have my own provisions for keeping it safe). I do not want my data to be copied against my will and without my consent to a non-EU server (where I cannot even delete all of it).
It was possible in versions 3.4 and earlier to have the choice, it should simply be re-enabled.
