Google and Fitbit

[SunsetRunner]

This is not a suggestion to the product line of Fitbit, but instead a STRONG suggestion NOT to allow this to go through:

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/10/28/google-may-acquire-fitbit/

I don't trust Google's (lack of) privacy policy, and I question continued support of my phone platform of choice (Apple iPhone) if Google were to purchase Google.

Just my two cents' worth.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity

[Rich_Laue]

@Macamba you may want to reread the invested release again to get your info straightened out. 

[Macamba]

@Rich_LaueYou mean this part: "Consumer trust is paramount to Fitbit. Strong privacy and security guidelines have been part of Fitbit’s DNA since day one, and this will not change. Fitbit will continue to put users in control of their data and will remain transparent about the data it collects and why. The company never sells personal information, and Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads"?

When WhatsApp was bought by Facebook I read the same thing. Now Facebook is thinking about integrating Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, giving Facebook "a more complete and valuable data profile for each user, since each user's data is consolidated in o...." You can't guarantee this will not happen in the future. 

I do not have an alternative for WhatsApp. But there is an alternative for Fitbit.

[Jeeves_]

That is too bad FitBit! Now I can throw away my watch, which is a shame.

@MacambaThere is a alternative for WhatsApp, https://signal.org/ .

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi everybody! Thank you for your comments and thoughts about this topic.

For more information about the Google and Fitbit acquisition news, see our press release: Press Release Details - Fitbit to Be Acquired by Google

I’ll see you around the Community!

[SunsetRunner]

Bummer....I my next watch would have been a Versa or maybe Versa 2. Not so much now. Google’s privacy protections are worrisome, and I can’t stand the company’s deceptive practices.

[SunsetRunner]

Please list some good alternatives for Fitbit. I’m done with them because of this deal.

thanks!

[RoxieMuzic]

I'm gone, anything that reflects very personal information such as health information should never pass through Google's portals.  Insidious is the one polite word that comes to mind.  Bad enough that I have Android with their access in that world, but this, NO WAY!!!!  Garmen here I come.

[Rich_Laue]

Please remember to delete you YouTube, Waze, Nexus, Nest, Feed Burner, and the other 200 or so companies Google owns. 

With Adsense, Doubleclick it is hard to stay away from Google when on the Internet. 

Even some car radios use the Android OS 

Really, the only way to keep Google from knowing about you is to never go onto the Internet. 

[tbc10]

Is there a data protection clause in the acquisition agreement?  

[tbc10]

Will Google ensure personal data is encrypted/protected?

[patrick.odowd]

Is anyone else very sad to see Fitbit selling out to google ? When I heard this I will be sad but will I think be giving up my Fitbit as google already has too much information about us and I do not want google having any more. Sad day for the community. 

[moneywhys]

I was not happy to receive this message today because it just seems that more of my data will be collected by Google and I do not trust platforms any more.  I also find it amusing that the given reason for the sale was to provide more services.  Sounds good, but I'm not buy that as the reason.  Thanks, however, for sending the announcement because FITBIT has now been crossed off my shopping list as gifts for the holidays.  Congratulations, however, on making what I am sure is a sh*t load of money.  Wish I could access that service.  All the best to you.

[WavyDavey]

Let's remember this was just announced to happen sometime next year. There's regulatory and shareholder processes that have to play out first, so there's no hurry to act at present.

[Asmith1979]

Maybe now fitbits owned by google they won’t sell blatantly defective watches to customers and tell them sorry about your luck. 

[MaJoRa]

We've been recently told about the Google acquisition, and there has been some backlash in the community. This stems from a number of concerns about Google's business practices and past behavior regarding other products they own. Here I'm hoping to perhaps get a response that clarifies what the position will be on the following:

• Data Collection: Will Fitbit start selling data to advertisers? I think this is a major concern, and I know personally myself would result in me ceasing to use my Fitbit immediately and requesting all of my personal data be discarded. 
• Clarity on changes to data usage: Will this be clearly presented to users if it happens? Not just in a brand new terms and conditions that nobody will read, but an actual GDPR compliant clear bullet pointed message box that tells users what will happen? More importantly, will current users be forced into this, or will it apply to new users only?
• App functionality and support: Google has been notorious not just for not supporting Windows, but for going out of their way to ensure that third parties cannot do so in their steed, and even going as far as to limit their web page functionality on Microsoft devices whilst lying and pretending it wouldn't work ( demonstrated not to be the case by Microsoft lying about user agents to prove that they all do ). If Windows is not going to be supported like it currently is, I know many users (including myself) who will simply stop using Fitbit. 
• Alexa Integration: We just got this, will Google be replacing it with Google Assistant? If so, this brings back the data concerns mentioned above. 

Hopefully this is read in the spirit that it's not just a whine and a winge but genuine concerns about the future quality of Fitbit products and services. Google have created a system of distrust with their past behavior and these concerns will need to be addressed if I am to buy another Fitbit product. I was on the verge of purchasing a new Versa 2 to replace my Ionic and now I feel that I can't until this is resolved.

I suspect many others will want to voice their concerns and encourage them to do so by replying here. 

[SunsetRunner]

This sucks!! I to was not amused by the news. Google is evil!! Stop trusting and using this company! 

Got my Fitbit Charge 3 4 months ago and now it is useless! Can i get my money back?

[killer2239]

How did your fitbit charge become useless all the sudden? It still does what you bought it to do and will continue to do so.

[SunsetRunner]

I don’t want Google to gather all that info so i have to delete my account and cannot use my Fitbit anymore 

[LedMatrix]

FitBit's hardware has always been garbage. I think the sale has a good chance to make it a far better product than it is right now. Google already knows everything about us anyway. I'm hoping for a marriage of some sort between FitBit's OS and Wear OS so I can switch away from FitBit hardware to Tic or Samsung fitness wear and be able to sync to FitBit. That would be best case scenario.

[SunsetRunner]

Google already knows everything about us anyway.

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This is literally the worst reason on Earth to be okay with Google getting access to your private information. You don't have to let Google have your information. You don't have to be defeated and complacent about tech companies grossly violating your privacy and trust.

Once you give up your rights, you won't get them back.