Linking a Fitness Tracker to Dubai's Health Apps: What Data Is Shared

The Dubai Health app, which serves patients of Dubai's public hospitals and health centres, lets you upload health and fitness data, including from Apple Health, for self-tracking programmes. The regulator's DHA app also integrates with Apple Health, according to its App Store listing (version 1.0.5, October 2025).

Linking a watch or phone to an official app is convenient, but it is worth knowing what the store disclosures say and which rules apply.

What the app disclosures say

App Store listings carry a privacy disclosure from the developer. The Dubai Health app's disclosure lists these as data that may be linked to your identity:

• Health and fitness
• Financial information
• Location
• Contact information
• Identifiers
• Usage data

The listing points to the full privacy policy on dubaihealth.ae. Reading both before you switch on syncing tells you what leaves your phone.

The DHA's rules on health data

The Dubai Health Authority sets data rules for licensed health facilities and telehealth platforms. Two documents matter most.

The Telehealth Policy (version 1, effective August 2021) says health data generally may not be stored, developed or transferred outside the UAE, except in the cases allowed under Article 2 of Ministerial Decision No. 51 of 2021. Providers must get your consent before transferring your information to another entity, share only what your care requires, and keep it confidential.

The Standards for Telehealth Services (Issue 4, effective 26 November 2025) go further:

• Your consent is needed for monitoring of your health status, data storage and data transfer.
• Data must be stored with a cloud service provider certified by the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) in the UAE.
• Third parties must keep data on secure UAE-based infrastructure unless the law allows otherwise.
• Telehealth data must be kept securely for at least 25 years.
• Consent is required if AI tools are used to help write up a consultation.

These rules are written for DHA-licensed providers and platforms. A commercial fitness app that isn't part of a licensed service is governed by its own terms, so its privacy policy is the document to read.

Wearables in Dubai's step programmes

Connected trackers are often how residents join official activity drives. The DHA's Health & Happiness Challenge runs on the Core Direction app, scoring daily step points and active heart-rate points alongside logged workouts. In 2022, Gulf News listed Fitze, a rewards app used in Dubai Fitness Challenge step drives, as compatible with most major wearable brands. In each case, the data goes to the app operator, under that operator's terms.

What to check before you link a device

• Read the App Store or Google Play data disclosure and note what is linked to your identity.
• In your phone's health settings, share only the categories the app needs, such as steps rather than everything.
• Check who runs the app: a DHA-licensed provider, a government body or a private company.
• Find out how to disconnect and whether past data is deleted when you do.
• More health tools are listed in our Directory.

For general information, not legal advice. Rules and app terms change; check with the DHA or the app provider before relying on them.