Strava's new API restrictions the Path Forward for Devs with Sahha

Strava’s Updated API Terms Strava’s recent policy changes enforce stricter privacy and data usage constraints on third-party developers. Effective November 11 (despite a public announcement on November 15), these changes significantly limit how user activity data can be shared and explicitly prohibit using Strava data for AI or machine-learning purposes. Additionally, any replication of Strava’s distinctive look and feel is disallowed.



According to Strava, these rules aim to improve privacy standards, giving users tighter control over their data. WMany third-party applications on its platform are affected, well-known services like VeloViewer, Final Surge, and TrainerRoad are already grappling with these sudden constraints. Many have relied on Strava’s long-standing role as a data middleman between wearable devices and third-party apps.

The Impact on Developers Developers who depended on Strava for user activity data, collaborative features (such as shared leaderboards or public feeds), or AI-driven insights face critical roadblocks:

1. Data Visibility – Third-party apps can no longer display a user’s Strava data to anyone except that user, effectively blocking group-based features that rely on comparative data.
2. No AI or ML with Strava Data – Explicit bans now hamper applications that derive performance insights using artificial intelligence.
3. Branding Constraints – Apps must avoid replicating Strava’s “look and feel,” further limiting UI or feature compatibility if they used Strava’s design cues.

Even developers seeking to comply are left with a 30-day window to adapt, often without viable workarounds under the new rules.

Why Sahha Is the Solution As developers look for alternatives to maintain (and even enhance) their functionality, Sahha emerges as the most transformative platform. Here’s how Sahha empowers developers that are suddenly constrained by Strava’s recent policy changes:

1. Broader Data Access:
   • Sahha seamlessly integrates with numerous wearables and health data sources, bypassing the need to rely on Strava as an intermediary.
   • This wider array of data streams means you can deliver the robust, cross-device experiences your users expect—without worrying about third-party lockouts.
2. Unrestricted Analytics & AI:
   • While Strava now prohibits training AI models on user data, Sahha is built with analytics and advanced insights in mind - our data schemas are simple and easy to understand.
     • Sahha's Health Scores, Biomarkers and Real-time Device data products offer simple yet detailed insights into user health. If you plan to build AI powered features within your app, these products provide a perfect datapoints to leverage.
   • If you have the necessary user permissions, you can safely perform data analysis, machine learning, and AI-driven personalization to create more innovative features.
3. Privacy by Design:
   • Sahha prioritizes user consent and data protection, ensuring that individuals have full visibility and control over how their data is processed.
   • This commitment to privacy aligns with evolving regulatory requirements and consumer expectations, letting you focus on building secure, trusted experiences.
4. Scalable & Future-Proof:
   • Sahha’s developer-centric approach ensures easy integration and scalability as your product or user base grows.
   • Rather than waiting on unilateral policy shifts from a single aggregator, you maintain autonomy over your roadmap and data architecture.
5. Collaborative & Community-Oriented:
   • Whether you want to build leaderboards, coaching features, or year-in-review recaps, Sahha’s flexible APIs allow you to securely share data (with explicit user consent) and foster community-driven experiences.

Build Beyond Strava Strava’s new API terms may have blindsided many developers, but they also present an opportunity to reimagine and expand your health, fitness, or wellness applications. Sahha delivers the data, analytics capabilities, and user-centric privacy framework that teams need to continue innovating without restrictions.

If your service has been impacted by Strava’s updated terms, don’t let that limit your vision. Build it anyway—and build beyond it—using Sahha.

Learn more or get started at sahha.ai.