In a development that allegedly blindsided thousands of third-party apps, Strava announced changes to its API agreement that will no longer allow other platforms to publicly display users’ data. This means cyclists will no longer be able to use apps like VeloViewer and coaching. Platforms like Intervals.icu allow you to share ride data and other activity data with others.
This popular fitness tracking and sharing app is used by over 125 million users and the majority of athletes use fitness tracking devices such as smartwatches and power meters to track and track their activities. I am using it as a data hub to export data using a third device. Party apps that focus on specific areas like cycling, running, and hiking. In fact, according to Strava itself, there are tens of thousands of such apps.
But new changes to the API agreement could mean a crushing blow to the entire fitness syncing ecosystem, with users already worried that Strava is “hurting itself, its users, and third-party apps with this move.” It warns that “we are giving you the following.”
In addition to the changes that will determine how user data is shared across these myriad other platforms, the California-based company is also making changes to allow third-party apps to use data from its own apps to perform analytics using artificial intelligence models. It was also announced that the analyzed data would no longer be usable.
So what does this mean for you? The first thing to note is that if you use a device such as a GPS computer to record your rides and upload that data to Strava, this change will not affect you, as users will still have access to the data generated by your device. . However, apps that retrieve data from Strava will no longer be able to perform any data processing or share data with other users on that platform, making leaderboards and segments redundant.
And finally, in a move to “protect the Strava experience,” other apps and platforms must maintain their own user interfaces that don’t feel too similar to Strava’s.
> Strava will no longer allow you to add links to your uploads and will remove all old links. Frustrated users have accused the social fitness giant of claiming the URL removal is “in progress” and “necessary to protect the community.”
Interestingly, Strava writes that these changes went into effect on November 11th. blog post I will explain the details of the announcement made 4 days ago. Here is the complete list of changes announced by Strava:
The updated API Agreement, effective November 11, introduces three important changes that provide greater control, security, and a consistent experience for Strava users.
Enhanced privacy standards: Third-party apps can now display your Strava activity data only to that specific user. Users will still have access to their personal Strava data across apps connected to the platform, but there may be differences in how this data is displayed.
Data Use Restrictions: Our Terms expressly prohibit third parties from using data obtained through Strava’s API in artificial intelligence models or similar applications.
Protecting your Strava experience: Additional terms have been added to protect Strava’s unique look, feel, and functionality, making it easier for users to distinguish between Strava and third-party platforms.
Even more surprising, this blog post ends with the following note: “In accordance with our Community Guidelines and Ideas Guidelines, we do not allow posts that request or attempt to reverse a business decision on Strava.”
Since making this post, Strava has sought to clarify its position by: provide additional context. The company said the changes were made to increase privacy and user control, and to prevent third-party platforms from using your data to train AI models or abuse it via generative AI. “Innovation in this field must be treated responsibly and in an appropriate manner,” he said. Focus on user control. ”
Strava says: “In situations where users connect to third-party apps and are not aware that their data is being exposed not only for their own use and visibility, but also to other users (for example, in public feeds), We want to tread carefully” or heatmap). The latest API changes address this scenario and provide a more consistent framework for Strava user data. ”
Additionally, “third-party developers may not take such a deliberate approach to training their AI models, and as a result, the best decisions for the platform and users will be extracted from Strava users in this way.” The previous terms already prohibited the use of Strava user data in model training and development, but given the increased activity in this area. to make this more clear. ”
This probably wasn’t clear in the original post, in which they claimed they were “actively modifying their terms to stay ahead of advances in data technology.”
Last month, the company launched a beta version of its “Athlete Intelligence” feature that allows subscribers to analyze and interpret their workout data to create personalized insights and guidance, including “Pace, Heart Rate, Elevation, Power , to provide “smarter insight into relative effort.” Aggregates data trends from workouts recorded over the past 30 days.
Additionally, Strava believes that these changes “will not impact most developers,” and expects that only “a small percentage (less than 0.1 percent) of applications on the Strava platform will be affected.” We expect the vast majority of existing applications to be affected.” Use cases such as coaching platforms focused on providing feedback to users and tools that help users understand their data and performance are still allowed. ”
> Bodyguards using Strava are putting Trump, Macron, Biden and other world leaders at risk, French newspaper investigation claims
However, Intervals.icu, a popular training and coaching platform, has already posted that this will disable all coaching features related to Strava data, and from now on, not just new user data, but all coaches’ history. The data should also be hidden.
Nate Pearson, CEO of TrainerRoad, an app that provides users with “effective, science-backed workouts” based on access to data from Strava. I wrote: “This was crazy news for us as well. We are still fully understanding the implications.”
Raymaker website dc rain maker Said: “They [Strava] They don’t seem to be very keen on “working closely with partners.” Every partner I spoke to over the past 24 hours was completely on the same page about this change. They all received a general email on Friday night informing them they had just 30 days to completely rebuild their entire application. Note that the period is 30 days, including holidays (most companies will give at least 6 months’ notice in such cases).
“I think a lot of companies will end up cutting off the API completely, which is probably Strava’s goal. But I’m not sure how that will benefit paying Strava subscribers and ultimately Strava’s revenue. I don’t know. Strava seems to be working hard to kill off the tens of thousands of apps that have undoubtedly made it popular.”
Chris Snook, director of public relations and communications for Zwift, told road.cc: “This change does not affect Zwift customers, so we are not in a position to comment.”
Garmin, Wahoo and Hammerhead have also been contacted for comment.
How will this change affect your use of Strava for future rides and other activities? Let us know in the comments…
