Location tracker needed to sync

[Uvires]

There is no reason to require location tracking to be on in order to sync. What is Fitbit doing to remedy this supposed android issue? I for one will not be purchasing another Fitbit until this is resolved! I have no wish to be tracked in my day to day activities. If they want to track me then they can pay me for the data I'm generating.     

[N8teGee · Accepted solution]

Hi @Uvires,

This is an Android OS requirement and is set by Google as part of the Android operating system permissions for Bluetooth access. There is little Fitbit can do to change this as they do not write the code for the Android operating system, only Google have the ability to change this requirement. If you are not happy about this you will need to contact Google (although the permission is there to protect you).

This is taken from the official Android developers resource (here) - 

Bluetooth permissions

In order to use Bluetooth features in your application, you must declare two permissions. The first of these is BLUETOOTH. You need this permission to perform any Bluetooth communication, such as requesting a connection, accepting a connection, and transferring data.

The other permission that you must declare is ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION. Your app needs this permission because a Bluetooth scan can be used to gather information about the location of the user. This information may come from the user's own devices, as well as Bluetooth beacons in use at locations such as shops and transit facilities.

You can also read why this is necessary in the following fitbit help article here. 

[Rich_Laue]

@Uvires this change is in response to changes made by Google in version 6 when it was discovered that it was possible for unwanted personal to break into and take over control of a users phone surgeon a Bluetooth scan. 

Check your records and you will notice that Fitbit doesn't ask for location at the time of a sync.