Reuters: Google vows not to use Fitbit data for ads to avoid EU probe
EU regulators will decide on their stance on the acquisition on July 20th.
Google revealed that it was purchasing Fitbit for $2.1 billion back in November 2019, but the deal has yet to be finalized. One of the organizations the tech giant has to convince for the acquisition to go through is the European Commission, which gave Google until July 13th to offer concessions. EU regulators will decide on their stance on the 20th, and they could launch a full investigation if the companies fail to make a convincing case for themselves. Now, according to Reuters, Google has formally offered not to use Fitbit data for ad targeting to ward off an antitrust probe.
“This deal is about devices, not data. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the European Commission on an approach that safeguards consumers’ expectations that Fitbit device data won’t be used for advertising,” Google told Reuters in a statement.
The tech giant has insisted from the time it announced the acquisition that it will not use Fitbit data for ads. However, regulators and critics still expressed concerns about users’ privacy, seeing as Fitbit wearables collect sensitive health information.
EU regulators asked rival wearable-makers, app developers and healthcare providers for their opinion about the deal earlier this month to help them come to a decision. A previous New York Post report also said that the acquisition is facing a probe by the US Department of Justice, which expressed concerns about the fact that it will give Google access to even more personal information.
