Ethics of Wearable Technology: Privacy, PHI and IP Considerations

Ceren Canal Aruoba joined the Patent & Trademark Office Society in a webinar on “Ethics of Wearable Technology.” Panelists examined privacy, security, and ethical issues surrounding health and fitness monitoring devices; and explored vulnerabilities in the data these devices collect, laws and regulations governing their use, and ethical responsibilities lawyers face when advising clients about associated risks.

Ms. Canal Aruoba provided an expert’s perspective on data breach and privacy cases. She discussed methods to value personal information on the plaintiff’s side and arguments defendants have presented to rebut those. She also reviewed what courts have concluded recently about these expert analyses and issues raised regarding personal information, privacy expectations, and consumer behavior.

Ms. Canal Aruoba’s recent presentations on this topic have included:

• presented to American Bar Association (ABA) Cybersecurity Task Force during monthly business meeting (January 2026)
• delivered in ABA webinar “They Know if You’ve Been Sleeping: Ethical and Cybersecurity Aspects of Privacy Risks with Health Trackers” (February 2026)
• presented during program for students, faculty, and staff at University of California, Berkeley Law (February 2026)