You can simply disable app permissions on how it collects data and enter false information in the app.

 

Unlike an Apple Watch, you can just use the watch without the app, which is what I do.

 

"Evil," "dark side."
But a bit hysterical and hyperbolic, don't you think?

I understand you're concerned. We all should be careful in this day and age. But compare this with what is collected by a true social media app like the new Threads from Meta.

 

"Evil," "dark side."
But a bit hysterical and hyperbolic, don't you think?

I understand you're concerned. We all should be careful in this day and age. But compare this with what is collected by a true social media app like the new Threads from Meta.

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You sure it not flashlight or bus schedule app?

 

Apps when you give them permission
Free buffet!!!!

What more some apps collected your data even if you opted out.

We live in a day and age when each and every turn in real or internet world collects data about you.
Even this site is riddled with tracking cookies.

Many companies see you and your data as fair deal and that the gist of it.

You train your future AI overlord as you type.

 

When you turn a switch off it's virtual on the screen. You guys seriously trust that? LOL!

Logitech is also doing this same exact crap and god knows who else.

 

If any of your devices accesses internet -- forget privacy and security.

You have none. Hard stop.

 

This is true. Better to stop using these "smart" devices as much as possible. Use only what you strictly need

 

For some models (as I type this : 5000, 5600, Oak) there is an open-source alternative to the official Casio app, available for Andoid users in the Play Store and F-Droid. I'm not aware of an iOS version.
It's called Casio G-Shock Smart Sync . That one should send no personal data back at all.

Haven't used it myself, but that's only because I don't like the idea of connected watches in general. If someone is willing to check it out, by all means do so.

 

Privacy is something we should all be aware of and looking for these things. I would encourage you all to leave (honest) reviews of these apps and the direction they seem to be heading.

For some models there is an open-source alternative to the official Casio app, available for Andoid users in the Play Store and F-Droid. I'm not aware of an iOS version.
It's called Casio G-Shock Smart Sync . That one should send no personal data back at all.

Haven't used it myself, but that's only because I don't like the idea of connected watches in general. If someone is willing to check it out, by all means do so.

Thanks, I was wondering if such a thing was possible. Myself I'm on iOS but I'm going to try to use the old app for as long as I can, as long as they don't force you to the new app. Literally all I want out of such an app is quick settings manipulation and time sync which requires NTP access, NOT reaching back to Casio. Mega bonus points if you could specify your choice in NTP server.

 

The app in question on F-Droid looks exactly what I'd imagine the ideal would be; Casio G-Shock Smart Sync | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

 

As a tech professional with a special interest in privacy, my advice is to a) generally minimize the number of apps you install, and b) especially avoid apps that are not the core business of the entity offering them. Unfortunately loads of tracking is very much the norm in apps generally and especially those types of apps, because the software market has demonstrated a strong preference for free-to-use software and hasn’t innovated many ways to subsidize its development beyond monetizing its surveillance capabilities. Also at this point corporate decision-makers everywhere are constantly hungry for new data, and many apps are literally just a ploy to get tracking data (like those online “which Disney princess are you”-type quizzes). So there’s a lot of momentum pushing things this way. Maybe all the recent outrage about AI will encourage folks to consider privacy more carefully (too little too late of course, that genie is already out of the bottle, but lightly vindicating all the same).

 

Well said.

Casio seems to have had some apps that were respectable and not data collecting. They are only just recently changing that policy and I'm wondering if some push back would get them to change their ways. If not it seems like the open source community is an option too.

 

I'm guessing less than 1% of Casio buyers post in forums such as these. Any push back from here won't change anything.

 

More like less than 0.001% of Casio buyers.

 

It appears the new app replaces all the old apps, one app for all now. MRGs are listed in it too.

 

I have also uninstalled the two Casio apps in my phone. I still don't understand why it needs two different apps for GAB-2100 and GBX100 and why you need to identify to Casio and activate location to simply set one alarm.

Here are some open source alternatives :

• Gadgetbridge | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository on Android for GB-X6900B, GB-6900B, GB-5600B, GBX-100, GBD-100, GBD-200, GBD-H1000
• Casio G-Shock Smart Sync | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository on Android for B5000, B5600 and B2100 series
• GitHub - izivkov/GShockTimeServer: A python script to update time for G-Shock Watches on Raspberry Pi or any Linux computer to set time on GShock B5000, B5600 and B2100 series

 

Here are some open source alternatives :

Woah, Gadgetbridge does G-Shocks too now? Nice!
I remember looking at Gadgetbridge when I was considering one of those fitbit-like health trackers. Haven't thought about it for a while now.

 

I have become a much less fan of any kind of watch that needs a net connection to operate. During con hole, I bought a One Touch smart watch, main reason was it had the O2 sensor feature in the event I got sick I would get an o2 reading to monitor status. The other reason was I could track hr and such while walking and also the sleep quality feature. No one needs to know about this data but me. Surrendering the data in order to get the watch to operate as advertised is a non starter.

I recently (2 weeks now) have gotten back on the bicycle after being sick and injured for the last 2 years. The smart watch must be worn on wrist (or ankle) to measure HR if doing any sort of zone training. My old school hrm with chest strap allows me to strap the watch to handlebar so I can actually view while riding, not removing hands from bar or needing to press buttons and no data being downloaded to a third party data for sale app. Both One Touch and Tempo store data, Tempo does not have the ability to upload. If One Touch croaks, will not replace. Not sure I may use it in future as the data provided is about the same as Tempo. If I were racing for money and getting paid for my data, maybe.

 

I have become a much less fan of any kind of watch that needs a net connection to operate.

a) The only feature I'm really looking for is the auto time sync on a regular basis, which requires internet for NTP. The help in settings etc is nice but I don't anticipate using them much. I'm assuming the metal square will be a little less sensitive to time broadcasts and I'm already right on the edge. Time will tell though.

b) I agree, I'm ditching my apple watch and going back to something much more "normal". These electronic watches are fiddly and annoying, needs to be charged every day and another thing to be taken care of. The data collection angle is real but my position is that apple in particular with all their privacy reputation would suffer irreparable harm financially and reputation wise if it were found out they were doing with your data the likes of facebook/google straight up tell you they are doing. Non invasive glucose monitoring would be a feature that would get me back though it sounds like it's going to be a couple years minimum.

 

Casio: RELEASE THE APP!!!!

 

Good or evil are not valid categories for data aggregators.
Google and Apple do what their business model is.
Is a mosquito sucking your blood evil? Not necessarily. Its just the role and life of a mosquito to keep itself and their population up.

So if we use Smartphones and connected sensors we feed the data aggregators.
We get some functionality back in exchange, based on our and others aggregated data.
The same data are devoured by the data aggregators to keep their business alive.

 

Controlling who gets your data is a valid path of progression. I was able to get myself out of google services 95% and I've never had an account on any of facebooks properties. Demanding that casio not be able to collect from me is a easy thing to bar. I'm in apples ecosystem because I'm not going to go without a smartphone and I think they are the "best of the worst". This is all entirely subjective to everyone.

Yes this is a attention grabbing title, I did that deliberately. This is a PSA to wake people up to another path of dat collection opening up in our little part of the world.

At the moment I'm allowed to use the old G-Shock iOS app. It did message me about transferring to the new app but I'm able to ignore that, for now. If they decide to brick the app with a future update I'm eyeballing a Graphene OS android phone. Maybe there are even some other de-googled privacy focused roms out there I can look into on a cheaper phone. Also likely I can just go without and see how far the multi-band 6 gets me.

What I didn't like is that the user manual for the GMW-B5000D-1JF refers to the app a lot, instead of walking you through the settings on the watch itself like the GWM5610-1. It does make it easy but I'd kind of like to know how to do it without any assistance.

 

Yes, this topic comes along all the time:
What is the watch usefull for without the app.
Im a collector and many of my watches are older then 20 years.
There is no chance that in 20 years there still is a compatible app.
So take care that your rather expensive watch is not bricked when app support runs out after a few years.

The problematic combination of a long living consumer product (watch) with a short lived consumer product (phone app).
Other examples of combinations of long and short living products:
Car<>Car play /NFC/app
House<>smart home device
electric bicycle<>electric bicycle control app

What I didn't like is that the user manual for the GMW-B5000D-1JF refers to the app a lot, instead of walking you through the settings on the watch itself like the GWM5610-1. It does make it easy but I'd kind of like to know how to do it without any assistance.

 

I just rolled back to the old app pre nag version soon as I saw sign up here. I dont agree with all this data harvesting and while there are some applications where you have no choice I see no need to add to the pile...

Q-6

 

iPhone, the current old app still keeps the time sync working and changes settings. Just back out of the migration ask page. Don’t know how long that will continue to work.

 

the new app is slow... that's for sure.
but in the almost 4yrs that I've had my all-metal... I've hardly used the Casio apps... either the old Connected or the new Watches...
only once every few months i would use the app just to check battery life...

if Casio suddenly releases a new firmware that can show battery levels on the watch...then i wouldn't have the need for the app anymore.

and before we get more comments of the app stealing data...

well...fun fact... it's obviously a Casio ID...and it is not app specific.
the same ID is used when ordering Casio stuff via their website...yes Casio has a official online store.
hence no different to Amazon or whatever.

 

and before we get more comments of the app stealing data...

well...fun fact... it's obviously a Casio ID...and it is not app specific.
the same ID is used when ordering Casio stuff via their website...yes Casio has a official online store.
hence no different to Amazon or whatever.

There is a difference between giving Casio having your name and address so they can fulfill an order, and Casio getting your location 4 times per day and being able to analyze how you use your watch and their app so they can use that info for advertisement purposes. Just because you don't open the app, doesn't mean it isn't logging and transmitting data every time the watch synchronizes to it.

 

Yes!!! I've heard that Gru uses this app extensively in Despicable Me 4. 🤣🤣🤣

 

Contact Casio support. Request specialist intervention!

picture is from 1973 movie (if i remember year correctly)

 

The Exorcist?

 

The Exorcist!