Last week, we learned that, for the first time in medical history, doctors used a patient’s Fitbit to make a crucial decision regarding treatment. It turned out to save the man’s life in the end. Now, a woman in Pennsylvania is on probation after data from her Fitbit showed that she lied about being sexually assaulted.
According to “Today”, a woman in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, filed a police report that she was pulled from her bed and sexually assaulted. However, data the police pulled from her Fitbit showed that she was awake and walking around at the time she claimed the assault took place.
“It sealed the deal for us,” said Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman on the “Today” show. “We had other evidence that we were looking at and we were suspicious, but the Fitbit made all the difference.”
“Today” host Jeff Rossen showed what kind of information police can get from Fitbits or other fitness trackers. A detective showed Rossen that the device tracked his movements down to the exact times he went to certain places, and showed his heart rate and pace during his travels, and when he went to sleep and woke up.
He also noted that if suspects or victims do not hand over their Fitbits voluntarily, the police can get a warrant to seize them. Stedman told Rossen that he believes these fitness trackers could be a major tool in criminal investigation in the future.
“When we have technology, like Fitbit, we’re going to take advantage of it,” Stedman said on “Today.” “And there’s going to be technology that comes out tomorrow and the next day and the next year, and we’re going to have to adapt, and use that to help us do our jobs.”
