Google promises not to use EU Fitbit data for advertising

Google does not plan to use the data from Fitbit wearables for advertising, the company reports to Reuters. According to Google, the Fitbit acquisition is about devices, not data.

The promise must ensure that the acquisition of Fitbit by Google can continue. Google announced that acquisition last year, but the European Commission is investigating it. That investigation allegedly sent multiple questionnaires to competitors of Google and Fitbit, asking whether the acquisition of Fitbit would raise privacy or competition concerns.

Among other things, the EU would object to the use of Fitbit data for advertisements. Reuters wrote last week that the European Commission gave Google until July 13 to make concessions. On July 20, the committee would decide on the takeover and if no agreement was reached, a four-month investigation would follow.

“This deal is about devices, not data. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the European Commission on an approach that ensures consumer expectations that data from Fitbit devices is not used for advertising,” said Google in a statement. statement to Reuters. It is not clear whether this completely removes the objections of the European Commission.