What Activestep does
Activestep exists for one purpose: to let participants in University of Michigan research studies securely share their wearable-device data with the study they enrolled in. Specifically, the application:
- Connects to your Google account — only after you approve access on Google’s consent screen;
- Collects your Fitbit device data through the Google Health API: activity and exercise (steps, distance, active minutes), heart data (heart rate, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, ECG), sleep (duration, efficiency, stages), and health measurements (weight, blood oxygen, and similar metrics);
- Stores that data securely on University of Michigan managed infrastructure, encrypted in transit and with credentials encrypted at rest;
- Provides it to exactly one destination: the IRB-approved University of Michigan research study you consented to participate in. Your data is never sold, never shared with advertisers, and never used for any purpose other than that study’s research.
Who we are
Activestep is operated by a research lab at the University of Michigan. We design and run IRB-approved research studies that use everyday wearable-device data — steps, heart rate, sleep, and related health measurements — to better understand health and behavior.
Consent first
No data is accessed until you approve it on Google’s own consent screen. You can revoke access at any time from your Google Account.
Research only
Your data is used solely for the IRB-approved study you joined. It is never sold and never used for advertising.
Protected
Data is encrypted in transit, access credentials are encrypted at rest, and access is limited to authorized study personnel.
Are you a study participant?
This website is not something you sign up for on your own — enrollment always begins with a University of Michigan research study. If you are participating in a study that uses Fitbit data, your study team will send you a personal, secure link that walks you through connecting your account.
How it works
- Your study team sends you a secure connection link.
- You review what will be shared, then approve (or decline) on Google’s consent screen.
- The service periodically collects the health and fitness data you approved — such as activity, heart rate, and sleep — and stores it securely for your study.
- You may stop sharing at any time via your Google Account permissions or by contacting your study team.
Your privacy
Our use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements. Full details are in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.