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Download all of data Garmin Connect holds on me pursuant GDPR
Former Member
Pursuant GDPR, I would like to download all the data Garmin Connect stores on me, in all formats available, i.e. FIX, GPX etc, for each activity separately. How to do it?
GDPR or no, you can already go into each activity record in your Garmin Connect account and export the original FIT file, as well as the record in TCX and GPX formats, to your hearts content. That's nothing new.
GDPR does not require Garmin to allow you to do so more easily in batch mode.
actually it does, the article 20 that refers to the right of data portability says:
The data subject shall have the right to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which he or she has provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format and have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided
Forcing people to go one by one seems like a hindrance to me, also the fit files you download are but a very limited selection of all the data Garmin holds on you, you forget that Garmin Connect is way more than a place to record your gps rides or runs, it now works as a sort of Social Network with social graphs like Facebook, friend connections, Likes, photographs, comments, a full detailed profile. And of course there’s the Vivo platform that is the equivalent of Fitbit with all day activity tracking that includes not only movement in the form of steps but in many cases all day heart rate data, none of which is included in the individual fit files you can currently download.
Garmin might not feel obligated or prepared to comply but it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t.
dansebr, I think you should re-read jiripik's post carefully. He/she wants the data “for each activity separately” and “in all formats available, i.e. FIX, GPX etc,” so there is nothing obstructionist in providing him/her with the means to export each activity in each file format by a user self-service operation separately. It just so happens that the export feature has been there all along, way before GDPR came into play. Not introducing a new feature to allow the user to get the same outputs en masse with a single operation or command is neither an infringement of the user's rights to receive his/her personal data, nor in anyway non-compliant with the GDPR.
Do not colour the question with what you may want to extract for yourself, or how you would like to do it. Your preferences in terms of user procedure and/or required effort are not protected by some sort of ‘right’ and do not create real obligations on any other party to accommodate.
You're right in what the original poster might want in terms of individual files and the existing feature might just do but I was responding in regards to the mentioned GDPR topic, not about my personal preferences either that don't really matter here, I've also known about this old feature to download activities for a long time as a long time user myself, all I'm trying to illustrate here in relation to the GDPR topic is that it does create an obligation for Garmin to create a way for the user to download all of the data that it holds on the user and this new requirement is not covered by the existing feature you mention, not just because of the convoluted process but because the end result is still incomplete as I mentioned, even a whole collection of individual fit files is still non-compliant, now whether Garmin would do anything about it I don't know, Garmin is late to even comply with the very first step of sending an email informing its users about any privacy policy changes.
Yes, thank you, I've found the post and was about to write about it here, it is exactly what I was talking about, it seems they did create a way after all, just not very forecoming about it not sure why, thanks.
dansebr, I'm personally annoyed when users – my fellows, equals and peers – get overly pushy about their/our ‘rights’, ahead of schedule and/or often trying to push the boundaries, and not even always being polite about it.
Believe it or not, I'm as keen if not outright keener than any other person, on upholding rights, securing entitlements, discharging responsibilities and fulfilling obligations. The first step to that is understanding exactly what they are and where they come from. A person or party enjoying a particular right or set of rights cannot grant himself/herself/itself that; I think it is very important to recognise that fact. Entitlements come either from someone else's say-so (similar to rights) or by agreement with other parties, and never unilaterally decided by the party that is given those entitlements. If someone is entitled to 102 units of X today, but will be entitled to 105 units of X on 1st July, then pushily demanding to have advance access to the additional three units of X ahead of schedule, or more than 105 units in total, is poor form in my book. Proper respect to rights and entitlements is given by ensuring that 102 units is available today and 105 units on 1st July, and telling whoever is making noises that they aren't entitled to any more any sooner; that's clarity in understanding, that's being diligent about assessing who that party is and in which capacity he/she/it is entitled to what, and putting the idea of rights and entitlements (and, on the flip side, responsibilities and obligations) well ahead of any consideration for feelings and sentiments.
Yes, thank you, I've found the post and was about to write about it here, it is exactly what I was talking about, it seems they did create a way after all, just not very forecoming about it not sure why, thanks.
Have you found out whether they have actually created a way?
Joey mentioned "Garmin Account Manager" and then closed the thread. I have looked in my Garmin Connect account and can't find any "Account Manager". Nor can I see any download options where I usually manage my account settings.
Also tried googling "Garmin Account Manager" without getting any wiser.
Oh, and forget about asmugdill. That is just the way he is. Best ignored.
