Strava: Understanding and Managing Your Privacy Settings

Can Everyone See My Strava?

No, not everyone can necessarily see your Strava activities, but the platform's default settings, combined with various privacy controls, determine who has access to your fitness data and profile. Understanding and actively managing these settings is crucial for maintaining your desired level of privacy.

Understanding Strava's Default Privacy Settings

When you first create a Strava account or upload an activity, the platform employs a set of default privacy settings. Historically, many of these defaults leaned towards a more public sharing model, fostering community and competition. However, Strava, like many social fitness platforms, continuously updates its privacy framework to give users more control. It's essential not to assume privacy; instead, actively verify and adjust your settings. While some aspects might default to "Everyone" (public), others might be set to "Followers" or "Only You." The onus is on the user to configure these to their comfort level.

Who Can See Your Strava Activities? (The Layers of Visibility)

Strava offers distinct layers of visibility for your activities and profile:

• Everyone (Public): When an activity or your profile is set to "Everyone," it is visible to any Strava user, whether they follow you or not. This includes appearing on public leaderboards, segment results, and potentially in public feeds.
• Followers: If your activity or profile is set to "Followers," only users you have approved to follow you can see your content. This creates a more curated and private social network within Strava.
• Only You (Private): This is the most restrictive setting. When an activity is marked "Only You," it is completely private and visible only to you. It will not appear in any feeds, leaderboards, or public searches.
• Specific Groups/Clubs: Activities shared within a private club or group might be visible to other members of that club, even if your general activity settings are more restrictive. Always check the privacy settings of the clubs you join.

Key Privacy Controls on Strava

Strava provides a robust suite of tools to manage your privacy:

• Profile Visibility: This setting controls who can see your overall profile, including your total statistics (distance, time, elevation), recent activities list, and follower/following counts. You can set this to "Everyone" or "Followers."
• Activity Visibility: This is perhaps the most critical setting. You can set a default privacy preference for all new uploads (e.g., "Followers" or "Only You"), and you can also individually adjust the privacy of each activity after it's uploaded.
• Group Activities: If you record an activity with other Strava users, your activity might be linked to theirs. You can control whether your activity appears in group photos or is visible to other participants.
• Flybys: The Flybys feature allows you to see other athletes who were in your vicinity during an activity and vice versa. You can disable Flybys entirely or limit them to "Followers."
• Maps and Hidden Zones: This crucial feature allows you to define "Hidden Zones" around specific addresses (e.g., your home or workplace). Any activity recorded within or ending/starting near these zones will have that portion of the map automatically hidden from public view, regardless of your overall activity privacy setting. You can also hide the start and end points of all your activities.
• Beacon (Safety Feature): Beacon allows you to share your real-time location with designated safety contacts during an activity. While a safety feature, it's important to understand that you are explicitly sharing your live location with chosen individuals, not publicly.
• Segment Leaderboards: To appear on public segment leaderboards, your activity must be public. If your activity is set to "Followers" or "Only You," it will not appear on public leaderboards. You can also opt out of leaderboards entirely via your privacy settings.

How to Adjust Your Strava Privacy Settings (Step-by-Step Guidance)

Regularly reviewing and adjusting your privacy settings is paramount.

1. Accessing Settings:
   • On the Strava Website: Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the left sidebar, click "Privacy Controls."
   • On the Strava Mobile App: Tap the "You" icon (profile icon), then the gear icon (settings) in the top right. Scroll down and select "Privacy Controls."
2. Default Activity Privacy: Under "Privacy Controls," find "Activities" or "Activity Privacy." Set your preferred default (e.g., "Followers" or "Only You"). This will apply to all future uploads unless you change it manually.
3. Per-Activity Privacy: After an activity is uploaded, open the activity details page. Look for the privacy icon (often a lock or a globe). Tap or click it to change the visibility for that specific activity to "Everyone," "Followers," or "Only You."
4. Hidden Zones: In "Privacy Controls," locate "Privacy Zones." Enter addresses (e.g., home, work) and specify a radius to hide around them.
5. Flybys & Group Activity Privacy: These options are typically found within the "Privacy Controls" section, allowing you to toggle them on or off or restrict visibility.
6. Profile Page: Under "Privacy Controls," adjust "Profile Page" visibility to "Everyone" or "Followers."

Best Practices for Strava Privacy

As an athlete and data-conscious individual, adopt these best practices:

• Regularly Review Settings: Privacy policies and features evolve. Make it a habit to check your Strava privacy controls every few months.
• Understand Group Dynamics: Be aware that joining clubs, participating in group activities, or linking your account to third-party apps can alter the visibility of your data. Always review the privacy implications of these integrations.
• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about Strava's updates and new features, particularly those related to privacy.
• Consider What You Share: Before uploading, think about whether you're comfortable with the potential visibility of your route, pace, and other data.
• The "Only You" Default: For maximum control, consider setting your default activity privacy to "Only You" and then manually making specific activities public if desired. This puts you in charge of every share.

Why Privacy Matters for Athletes

Beyond personal preference, strong privacy settings are crucial for several reasons:

• Personal Safety: Sharing exact routes and start/end points can inadvertently reveal your home address, work location, or predictable training routes, potentially making you vulnerable to unwanted attention or security risks.
• Home/Work Security: Hidden Zones are essential for preventing the exposure of sensitive locations, protecting your property and family.
• Competitive Advantage: For serious athletes, revealing detailed training data (e.g., specific intervals, power outputs, new routes) to competitors can be a strategic disadvantage.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that your personal fitness data is shared only with your intended audience provides a sense of security and control, allowing you to enjoy your activities without worry.

By taking an active role in managing your Strava privacy settings, you can harness the social and analytical power of the platform while safeguarding your personal information and ensuring your safety.