1. Overview
PartnerSteps is a research platform operated by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), funded by Diabetes Canada. It is used exclusively to support an approved clinical research study examining step count interventions in adults with type 2 diabetes and their partners. The platform is not open to the general public. Participants do not log into the platform directly — all data collection and device authorization is handled by the study team on participants' behalf.
2. Data We Collect
The PartnerSteps platform collects the following data:
- Daily step counts — retrieved from participants' wearable devices via the Google Health API using the
activity_and_fitness.readonlyscope. This is the minimum scope available that includes step count data. - Study-specific email address — a Gmail address assigned by the study team that does not contain the participant's name or any personal identifiers. This address is used solely to identify the participant's account within the platform.
- Weekly step targets — calculated by the platform based on each participant's recent step history, as part of the study's step prescription algorithm.
No other health data categories are accessed or stored. The platform does not collect sleep data, heart rate, nutrition data, GPS location, ECG data, or any other fitness metrics. No real names, health card numbers, dates of birth, or other personal identifiers are held in the platform.
Data is stored using study-assigned codes rather than participant names or direct identifiers. The study team retains a separate, secure mapping between participant identities and study codes, held in accordance with the approved study protocol.
3. How We Use Your Data
Data collected through PartnerSteps is used exclusively for the following research purposes:
- Calculating personalized weekly step targets based on each participant's recent activity history
- Monitoring study data completeness and participant engagement for research quality purposes
- Generating aggregate research findings as part of the approved study protocol
Data is never sold, shared with third parties for commercial purposes, used for advertising, or used to train machine learning or artificial intelligence models.
4. Google Health API and Limited Use
PartnerSteps accesses step count data through the Google Health API. The study team authorizes API access on behalf of each participant using Google's OAuth 2.0 flow. Access is limited to the activity_and_fitness.readonly scope — the narrowest available scope that includes step data.
PartnerSteps' use of data obtained from Google APIs complies with the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements. Specifically:
- Data is used only for the stated research purpose described in this policy
- Data is not transferred to third parties except as necessary to operate the platform
- Data is not used for advertising or marketing purposes
- Data is not used to train AI or machine learning models
5. Data Storage
Step count data is retrieved from Google's servers via encrypted API calls. Data is stored in a password-protected database with access restricted to authorized study personnel. Data may be stored on servers located outside of Canada; in such cases, it remains subject to the data protection terms governing this study.
6. Data Retention
Study data is retained for a minimum of 15 years following the end of the study, in accordance with the RI-MUHC Research Ethics Board (REB) approved protocol and applicable research data retention requirements.
7. Participant Rights
As a study participant, you have the right to:
- Withdraw from the study at any time, which will cease all data collection going forward
- Request access to the data collected about you
- Request correction of inaccurate data
To exercise any of these rights, contact the study team at partnersteprimuhc@gmail.com.
8. Privacy Legislation
This platform operates in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Quebec provincial privacy legislation. For questions or concerns about privacy practices that cannot be resolved by the study team, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
9. Contact
For questions about this privacy policy or data handling, contact the research team at partnersteprimuhc@gmail.com.