Security Risks in Wearable Mobile Applications
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Wearable devices are increasingly integrated into everyday life and support applications that process sensitive health, behavioral, and contextual data. These systems depend on mobile applications that function either as smartphone companions or as standalone wearable apps, making them a critical part of the wearable ecosystem. In this article, we present an empirical security analysis of wearable mobile applications using a framework based on the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS). We analyze 383 Android applications associated with wearable devices through automated static analysis and characterize weaknesses across seven MASVS domains. Our results show that security issues are widespread and primarily concentrated in platform interaction, data storage, network communication, and cryptographic practices. Overall, the findings suggest that recurring implementation weaknesses, rather than isolated flaws, shape the security landscape of wearable mobile applications and underscore the need for stronger baseline security practices and broader adoption of security standards.
Source: IEEE Internet Computing
Authors: Sebastian Siedler, Mohamed Sylla, Karim Elish
Institution: Florida Polytechnic University
Language: English
Subfield: Software
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,995
OpenAlex ID: W7214234591