Samsung Clarifies Medical Data Use for AI Training Ahead of Galaxy Watch 9 Launch

Samsung has issued an urgent clarification regarding its use of medical data for artificial intelligence training, following public backlash over a recent policy update. The company reassured users that declining to share their medical information for AI development will not result in the deletion of their entire user history. Only data collected specifically for internal AI development will be removed, while personal health data will remain intact and continue to sync normally.

This clarification comes after Samsung's initial notification caused concern by implying users must choose between sharing sensitive health data or losing all stored information. Samsung explained that the alarming message was due to problematic wording rather than a deliberate policy change. Sensitive data such as sleep history and test results will stay under user control and will only be deleted from the company’s development servers, not from users’ devices.

The timing of this announcement is critical, occurring just days before Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, where the new Galaxy Watch 9 will be unveiled. The watch heavily relies on AI for health analysis, making user trust essential for its success. Samsung’s revised approach aims to increase transparency and reassure millions of Samsung Health app users about their digital privacy.

Users are advised to review their privacy settings carefully to ensure they only share data they are comfortable with. This development represents a modest victory for consumer digital sovereignty amid growing concerns over tech giants’ handling of personal information.