The EU opens a full-scale investigation into Google's Fitbit acquisition
What you need to know
- The EU will now investigate Google's $2.1 billion Fitbit purchase over a period of 90 days.
- The body has concerns over whether Google could use wearable data to boost its online ads business.
- The EU will also look into whether Google could degrade the experience of rival smartwatches and bands on Android once the purchase is completed.
The EU is opening a full-scale investigation into Google's Fitbit purchase, the body announced today. News of the impending investigation was reported last week by CNBC.
The European Commission is assessing the purchase over concerns that Google could use data from Fitbit users to build out its already formidable advertising business. It believes that data collected from wearables appear to be such an advantage or personalised ads that Google's rivals would never be able to compete if the company chose to integrate that data.
Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager, said:
Naturally, Google doesn't see it that way. The company says it did purchase Fitbit to boost a business, but that was its nonexistent hardware wearable business.
Writing on the Google Blog, SVP of Devices and Services, Rick Osterloh said:
Osterloh further reiterates Google's pledge of "devices, not data," but that wasn't enough. Elaborating on Google's earlier reported pledge not to use wearable data for ads by siloing it away, the Commission noted that it was "insufficient to clearly dismiss the serious doubts identified at this stage as to the effects of the transaction" and would not cover all the data Google would gain as a result of this transaction.
The Commission will also investigate whether Google could and would "degrade the interoperability of rivals' wearables with Google's Android operating system for smartphones once it owns Fitbit." It's hard to see Google doing something to interfere with Samsung devices without also severely damaging their relationship with the manufacturer. It's also hard to imagine Samsung or any other large Android OEM taking any such move lying down.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android
Then again, that is what the Commission plans to look into. The investigation will take up until December 9, 2020. Until then, the merger will remain on hold.
Fitbit Charge 4
Probes notwithstanding, Fitbit still makes some of the best wearables, and Charge 4 is one of our favorites. it blends style and sportiness with good battery life for a fairly low price.