Fitbit’s $2.1 billion acquisition by Google has been completed, according to the company. The news comes after the EU approved the deal late last year after Google made a series of commitments regarding Fitbit’s planned operation and use of its health data.
- Acquisition: Google’s hardware chief Rick Osterloh said in a statement that the acquisition was “about devices, not data.” He emphasized this point by reiterating Google’s commitments to how the acquisition will be handled in different markets around the world. Fitbit users’ health and wellness data will not be used for Google’s ad tracking as part of these pledges.
- New innovation: Fitbit’s CEO James Park welcomed the news, and said the acquisition would let the company “innovate faster, provide more choices, and make even better products.” However, he added emphasized that Fitbit’s products and services would continue to work across both iOS and Android.
- Strong privacy: Osterloh also said the deal won’t affect how third-party fitness trackers work with Android, or how Fitbit works with other non-Google services. “We will maintain strong data privacy and security protections, giving you control of your data and staying transparent about what we collect and why,” Park said.
- Wearable market: Fitbit may help boost Google’s presence in the wearable market. While Google doesn’t build its own smartwatches or fitness trackers, it provides the software that’s used by other companies to build smartwatches. But they haven’t provided as much in-depth information for workouts, sleep and other metrics that are important to people who want to improve their health.
- Flexibility: Park also gives hope to Fitbit users who were worried that the Google acquisition would change how their devices work today. He says that “many of the things you know and love about Fitbit will remain the same” and that Fitbit will continue to offer its flexible hardware and software that will continue to work with both Android and iOS.
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