Google Closes $2.1B Fitbit Buy, Vows to Meet Regulatory ‘Commitments’

Google, despite regulatory headwinds (see 2008040050), completed its $2.1 billion Fitbit buy, blogged Rick Osterloh, senior vice president-devices and services, Thursday. Google was “clear since the beginning” that it will protect Fitbit users’ privacy, he said. “We worked with global regulators on an approach which safeguards consumers' privacy expectations, including a series of binding commitments that confirm Fitbit users’ health and wellness data won't be used for Google ads and this data will be separated from other Google ads data.” Google also will continue “to allow Fitbit users to choose to connect to third-party services so you’ll still be able to sync your favorite health and fitness apps to your Fitbit account,” said Osterloh. Google will work with regulators around the world “so that they can be assured that we are living up to these commitments,” he said. Closing Google/Fitbit "will add competition to the wearable health device market," said Computer & Communications Industry Association President Matt Schruers. "This transaction stands to increase competition in wearables, which will benefit consumers on everything from prices to innovation.”