Strava recently made some major updates that will affect the use of third-party apps with their platform. These changes impact the Strava API, which allows apps to access and process data from Strava. Strava sent out an email outlining these changes, stating that third-party apps can no longer display Strava activity data to other users. Additionally, apps are prohibited from using any data obtained from Strava’s API in artificial intelligence models or for analytics purposes.
These updates have significant implications for many popular apps that rely on Strava data. Coaching apps that analyze Strava data to provide feedback to users will be greatly impacted. For example, apps like Final Surge, Xert, and Intervals.icu pull in Strava data for analysis, and these functionalities will be restricted due to the new API terms.
Moreover, apps that provide analytics, comparison features, or challenges using Strava data will also be affected. This includes apps like VeloViewer, which offer segment lists and leaderboards for deeper analytics and competition. The changes in the API terms may force these apps to modify their functionalities or stop using Strava data altogether.
Furthermore, Strava’s new API agreement also prohibits apps from using artificial intelligence processing on data coming from Strava. This means apps like TrainerRoad and Xert, which use AI for data analysis, will have to adjust their platforms to comply with the updated terms.
Despite these changes, Strava maintains that the updates are necessary to enhance privacy and user control on their platform. They claim that only a small fraction of applications will be impacted by these changes. However, the broad and restrictive nature of the new API terms raises concerns among developers and users alike.
In conclusion, the recent updates to Strava’s API terms may have far-reaching implications for the use of third-party apps with the platform. Developers and users are now facing challenges in adapting to these changes, which could potentially disrupt the ecosystem of apps built around Strava. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how developers and users will navigate these new restrictions and what the future holds for the Strava app ecosystem.
