Health and fitness trackers, for example, can overwhelm users with notification overload, causing increased anxiety or even unhealthy obsessions with hitting targets. Meanwhile, alleviating privacy concerns remains an ongoing challenge. A survey conducted across the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, France, and the UK (on behalf of the Internet Society and Consumers International) found that:

• 65% of people are concerned about how connected devices collect data.
• More than half (55%) do not trust their devices to protect their privacy.
• 53% do not trust connected devices to handle their information responsibly.
• 59% of Brits who own connected devices felt they were ‘creepy’ in the way they collect data regarding people and their behaviours.

At Ignitec, we believe innovation and user-centred design go hand in hand, and we’re committed to creating products that keep users safe and in control. If you’re developing an IoT product, wearable, or healthcare device and want to ensure all bases are covered regarding the ethics of always-on monitoring, schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our experts.

When is ‘always-on’ monitoring essential?

Always-on monitoring is the continuous tracking of a device’s status and performance, even when it’s idle or the primary monitoring system is offline. Maintaining constant visibility into a device’s health and activity enables early detection of issues and rapid response to potential problems—helping ensure reliability, safety, and a smoother user experience. Not all constant tracking is a privacy intrusion. In many cases, ‘always-on’ functionality is the very reason the device exists. Examples include:

• Wellness wearables that detect irregular heart rhythms or dangerous oxygen drops, alerting users before a medical emergency.
• IoT in elderly care, such as fall detection devices, automatically calls for help if the wearer is injured or unconscious.
• Continuous glucose monitors that track blood sugar in real time for people with diabetes.
• Efficient building management using environmental sensors to detect carbon monoxide leaks, poor air quality, or temperature changes in critical storage environments.
• In smart cities, always-on connectivity enables real-time infrastructure monitoring, optimises traffic flow, enhances energy efficiency, and improves public services.

In these situations, always-on monitoring is essential and can be life-saving. The ethical challenge lies in ensuring these devices collect only the data they need, and that this data is stored and processed in ways that truly protect the user.

The hidden personal and ethical costs of always-on monitoring

The promise of always-on technology is appealing: convenience and ease, faster assistance, predictive features, and personalised services. However, this promise is accompanied by a seemingly constant stream of beeps and pings, followed by a sense of urgency reminding us that there’s something to see, do, reply or react to. While the benefits of always-on connected devices are numerous, so too are the hidden costs we often pay:

• Data permanence: Once collected, data can be stored indefinitely — even if the user thinks it’s been deleted.
• Normalisation of surveillance: Over time, constant tracking can start to feel “normal,” eroding boundaries around personal privacy.
• Behaviour shaping: Notifications, nudges, and gamified goals can manipulate users into behaviours they might not choose independently.
• Constant distractions: Devices can become a constant source of distraction, impacting our ability to concentrate on a single task and possibly contributing to a decline in productivity.
• Increased anxiety: Hyper-connectivity can fuel anxiety, keeping our brains on high alert, and making it difficult to ‘switch off’.
• Loss of privacy: Devices help us to feel more connected, but we’re also giving away a significant amount of personal data and creating a digital footprint that’s larger than we might think (e.g. location check-ins, online purchases, calorie counts).
• Cybersecurity risks: With smart home appliances, for example, a breach of personal information provided to devices could threaten the control and safety of one’s home.

From a design perspective, these risks can be mitigated by giving users meaningful control — not just the illusion of it.

The UX perspective: Designing trust into always-on devices

User experience (UX) design in always-on tech has to extend beyond intuitive interfaces. Trust and confidence also need to be built into product design, which requires a multi-faceted approach.

Design for user trust entails:

1. Security

• Robust security measures that implement measures such as secure boot, encryption, and regular security updates.
• Zero trust architecture, where access is limited to only what’s necessary for the device to function, and regularly verifying user and device identities
• Minimising attack surfaces and reducing the number of unnecessary features and services on the device.

2. User Control

• Users should be able to verify the device’s trustworthiness rather than unquestioningly trust the manufacturer (e.g., mechanisms for users to inspect the device’s security status).
• Product design should empower users to make informed decisions about their device’s security and privacy settings.
• Transparency and clear onboarding that explains what’s being tracked, how data is collected and stored, why it matters, what the user gains in return, and what the potential risks are with the device’s functionality.

3. User Experience and Design

• Intentional Visual Design: Consistent visual cues, relatable imagery, and easy-to-understand interfaces help to build trust at a subconscious level
• Granular privacy controls allow people to switch off specific sensors without entirely disabling the device.
• Clear communication regarding the device’s functionality, data usage, and security measures that avoid technical jargon.
• Visual or audio indicators when monitoring is active — and when it’s genuinely paused.

4. Address Device-Specific Challenges:

• Microphone-enabled devices require special attention as voice data can be particularly sensitive. Users must be aware of when the microphone is active and have control over its usage.
• Integration with IoT Ecosystems. How does the device interact with other connected devices, and how is trust maintained throughout the entire network?

When done right, UX becomes a trust-building tool, rather than a source of suspicion, and promotes responsible technology adoption.

The ‘privacy mode’ dilemma: Can users trust it?

Even when devices offer a “privacy mode” or “pause tracking” option, scepticism remains: Is my data really not being collected — or just hidden?

Building an added layer of trust could include:

• Edge processing so sensitive data never leaves the device.
• Audit logs users can review to confirm what’s been collected and deleted.
• Independent privacy certifications that verify a device’s claims.

Protecting mental health in a hyper-connected world

Always-on devices don’t just track our behaviours — they can also shape them, sometimes in ways that undermine well-being and impact health. Examples include:

• Fitness trackers trigger guilt when targets aren’t met.
• Smart assistants interrupt focus with constant prompts.
• Feeling watched, even in private spaces, leads to a loss of psychological safety.
• Sleep disruption
• Digital anxiety caused by information overload and constant notifications

Designing for mental health means:

• Offering customisable alerts to avoid notification fatigue.
• Building rest and do-not-disturb modes into devices to encourage healthy disconnection.
• Using positive reinforcement that celebrates effort rather than punishing missed goals.

Final thoughts: Responsible tech innovation

Always-on monitoring is here to stay. The real question is how we design it to serve people without undermining them. That means:

1. Embedding privacy by design into every stage of development.
2. Prioritising informed consent over default data collection.
3. Recognising mental health as a critical part of ethical product development.

When designed intentionally and with the user’s best interests in mind, always-on monitoring technology can save lives, improve daily living, optimise operational management (i.e for businesses) and foster trust without crossing ethical boundaries. If you’re as committed to responsible tech innovation as we are and need help with the technical execution of your next product, please get in touch. Our multi-disciplinary team will help ensure no element of user safety is left uncovered.