Consumer groups rap Google’s Fitbit deal

Fitbit is a pioneer in the market for connected watches and other physical activity sensors that measure the number of daily steps taken, calories burned or hours of sleep. Google’s US$2.1bil (RM8.99bil) acquisition of the maker of smartwatches and fitness trackers was unveiled in November and rang alarm bells among global regulators over antitrust and privacy worries. — Reuters

BRUSSELS: An international group of consumer groups and NGOs denounced Google’s bid for sports smartwatch-maker Fitbit on July 2, saying it would threaten privacy and grant the search giant unfair access to a new market.

Google’s US$2.1bil (RM8.99bil) acquisition of the maker of smartwatches and fitness trackers was unveiled in November and rang alarm bells among global regulators over antitrust and privacy worries.