Every answer, part 112 of 145
Answers 2,221 to 2,240 of 2,899: Soma Labs' own answers about Soma, drafted from the pages of this site. Free to use under CC BY 4.0.
Your data and privacy
Does Soma's site fingerprint my browser?
Soma's Privacy Policy lists what the site does. Its visit counter tells visits apart with a value computed from your request, discards that value after 24 hours and can't follow you across other websites. The sign-up form's bot protection checks your browser for signs of automation. The site sets no advertising or analytics cookies and loads no third-party trackers.
From Privacy Policy.
Does Soma use HealthKit?
Soma reads Apple Health data through HealthKit, according to its Terms of Use, which is why the Soma app needs an iPhone. Its Privacy Policy says that access is read-only: Soma never writes anything back to Apple Health and reads only the data types you specifically allow. Soma describes itself as a general wellness product.
From Terms of Use, FAQ and Privacy Policy.
Does the Soma app work in airplane mode?
The Today view does. It sums up the day in three scores and one next move as soon as you open the app, even in airplane mode, because it's read on your phone and there's no network to wait on. Soma's Privacy Policy adds that nothing you see there goes to Soma. Soma is a general wellness product, and the app isn't available yet.
From Home, Privacy Policy, FAQ and About.
Do I have to turn on history sync to use Soma?
No. History sync is optional, and the Today view runs on your phone without an account. Turning on history sync is what sends a copy of your record and notes to Soma's servers, and it needs an account. Granting Apple Health access doesn't turn it on, since the two are separate choices. Soma Labs, the Palo Alto company building Soma Axon, keeps a waitlist for now.
From Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and About.
How often does Soma's history sync upload my data?
Soma's Privacy Policy describes a single upload: when you turn history sync on, a compressed copy of your raw Apple Health record is uploaded once and stored as your raw record. If you're offline at that moment, the upload is queued until you're back online. The record is stored on servers Soma rents in the United States. Soma can't be used yet.
From Privacy Policy and About.
Can I sign in to Soma with my Apple ID?
Sign-in may be offered through Sign in with Apple, according to Soma's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Creating an account needs an email address, and a name is optional. An account comes into play for history sync, since the Today view runs on your phone without one. Soma isn't available yet.
From Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and About.
Can I use Soma without the AI features?
You can. Soma's Terms of Use say the AI features are optional: you choose when to use them, and Soma doesn't turn them on for you. If you never use one, AI model providers receive nothing, since Soma shares data with them only when you use an AI feature. Soma, from Palo Alto's Soma Labs, isn't available yet.
From Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and About.
Does Soma use an integration provider to connect wearables?
It can. Soma's Privacy Policy says that when you connect another service, such as a wearable maker's account, Soma receives the data you authorize either directly or through an integration provider. Integration providers get involved only if you connect another service, and like Soma's other service providers they're bound by contract to use information only for their service to Soma.
From Privacy Policy.
Is Soma's camera pulse study part of the app?
No. Soma Labs runs research studies separately from the app, such as measuring pulse from a camera next to a reference chest strap, and each has its own written consent form for adults. Using the app doesn't enroll you in a study. Camera-based pulse measurement inside the app isn't available yet and collects nothing today. As a wellness product, Soma isn't medical care.
From Privacy Policy and FAQ.
Can people under 18 take part in Soma's research studies?
No. Soma's Privacy Policy says its research studies are for adults only, and each has its own written consent form. Soma itself is for adults 18 and over in the United States, and if Soma learns it collected personal information from someone under 18, it'll delete it.
From Privacy Policy.
Can a university research team study Soma members?
Soma says research teams can run studies with members who opt in, inside a secure enclave. Studies run only with members who opt in to that specific study, their data stays de-identified and the team's analysis runs inside the enclave, so nothing leaves. Researchers can tell Soma what they'd like to study through its developers page. Soma Labs (somalabs.me) is still pre-launch.
From For organizations, Developers, Privacy Policy and About.
Can I take back an app's access to my Soma results?
Yes, under the rules Soma is designing for its API. A member chooses what each app can read and can take that access back at any time. Each reading will come with how sure Soma is of it. If Soma didn't measure something, the API will say so. An app will never get a zero or a guess in its place. The API isn't open yet. Soma is a general wellness product.
From Developers and FAQ.
How does Soma know I'm over 18?
By using Soma, you confirm that you meet its requirements: at least 18 years old and located in the United States. Soma is for adults and isn't directed to children, and if it learns it collected personal information from someone under 18, it says it'll delete it. Soma may also suspend or close an account if it has reason to believe someone no longer meets those requirements.
From Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Does Soma keep my Apple Health data after I turn off its access?
Turning off Soma's access in iOS Settings, under Health, then Data Access & Devices, then Soma, is one of your controls. Anything already synced is a separate matter: Soma keeps your account, raw record and derived facts while your account stays open, until you ask for deletion at privacy@somalabs.me. Deleted data leaves live systems within 30 days and backups within 90.
From Privacy Policy and FAQ.
What does Soma do with my IP address?
Two things, according to its Privacy Policy. When you join the waitlist, your IP address and the approximate location it suggests are recorded with the sign-up to keep automated and abusive sign-ups out and to learn which channels bring people in, and Soma removes the IP address after 12 months. Separately, its hosting provider's server logs include IP addresses, kept typically for 30 days or less.
From Privacy Policy.
Does Soma's blog track readers or run ads?
It doesn't do either. Soma's website, blog included, doesn't set advertising or analytics cookies or load third-party trackers, and there are no ads in Soma. The blog lives in Soma's website database, and visits are counted as totals by a counter that sets no cookie and can't follow you across other websites.
From Privacy Policy.
Does Soma sell data to drug companies?
It doesn't, according to Soma's Privacy Policy, which says Soma doesn't sell your personal information and doesn't give health data to data brokers. It shares information only with service providers bound by contract to use it for their service to Soma, and otherwise discloses it only when the law requires it, to protect rights and safety, with your consent or in a merger or acquisition.
From Privacy Policy.
Which privacy laws does Soma's Privacy Policy mention?
It names the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act, for California residents. Its Consumer Health Data section names Washington's My Health My Data Act, Nevada law and similar laws in other states. For Washington residents, that section is Soma's Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy.
From Privacy Policy.
How does Soma choose which AI providers to use?
Soma's Privacy Policy sets the condition: it only uses AI model providers that act on its behalf. Those providers may not use what you send to train their models and may not keep it any longer than they need to answer your question. Requests reach those providers through a routing service.
From Privacy Policy.
What data does the Soma app read from my watch?
Whatever your watch saves to Apple Health, limited to the data types you allow. The Soma app reads Apple Health with your permission and never writes anything back. A watch is optional, and wearing one gives the app more detail about the days between Soma Axon visits. Soma is a wellness product that isn't out yet.
From Privacy Policy, FAQ and About.