Google’s Fitbit acquisition gets instant US antitrust scrutiny

A file photo of the FitBit Blaze in Las Vegas, Nevada. Google and Fitbit expect the deal to face protracted regulatory review in light of the current political focus on competition and privacy issues in the tech industry, a person familiar with the transaction said. — AFP

Google’s US$2.1bil (RM8.72bil) acquisition of Fitbit Inc means two of the largest technology companies now dominate the US market for fitness tracking devices and data, and the purchase is already coming under fire from US lawmakers.

Google and Fitbit expect the deal to face protracted regulatory review in light of the current political focus on competition and privacy issues in the tech industry, a person familiar with the transaction said.