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Turn off Friend Requests to avoid romantic requests

Status: Reviewed By Moderator Submitted by SunsetRunner on ‎03-15-2020 18:54
51 Comments (51 New)

What would be really great is to be able to opt out of receiving Friend Requests. Lately there have been a lot of people seeming to use this feature to initiate romantic connection or for reasons other than health and fitness and a lot of others have commented that they too find this frustrating. Is this possible? 

 

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity and labels.

See more ideas labeled with:
51 Comments
maianebula
Jogger
‎10-09-2020 00:37
‎10-09-2020 00:37

I've seen similar suggestions on how to control this all over the public forums but the standard reply by the moderators is that they will pass it forward if the topic receives enough attention. 
I don't think receiving attention is the problem here. Not acting against it is.

YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum
‎10-09-2020 09:00
‎10-09-2020 09:00

Hi @maianebula, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to turn off Friend Requests to avoid romantic requests. Thanks for sharing your feedback. I've moved it into a similar request.  A lot of users are asking for this option, I hope we receive updates soon.

MM282
First Steps
‎12-13-2020 14:35
‎12-13-2020 14:35

I have voted for this feature. I've only had Fitbit about ten days now, and just got my first "Friend" request -- from a lovely young lady whose profile picture is topless. And yes, she included a URL where I could "learn more" about her. Needless to say, I deleted the request, but didn't see any option to either block her or report this profile. This is not what I want to use Fitbit for... 🙂

AMN1million
First Steps
‎12-29-2020 15:41
‎12-29-2020 15:41

Receiving scam pornographic friend requests is hugely distressing- having a FitBit should not increase stress and negatively affect mental health. If FitBit is really concerned about wellbeing it will disable all friend requests until it adds the option to opt out. I was going to buy a FitBit for my mum but I won't until this is sorted out.  If it isn't I will not only delete my account but return my device.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable
‎12-29-2020 18:24
‎12-29-2020 18:24

I solved the problem by getting rid of my Fitbit and replacing it with a Samsung watch.  If you can't figure out basic customer needs, you don't need me as a customer. Adios Fitbit!

MYLAMEN
Base Runner
‎12-29-2020 19:12
‎12-29-2020 19:12

Well said!!

Kyriana
Jogger
‎12-30-2020 10:22
‎12-30-2020 10:22

I did what others suggested - I got rid of my FitBit and got a Garmin watch instead. It's pretty disappointing that a company who is literally known only for making fitness watches can't commit to a change that is requested by so many of their (current and former) customers.

MYLAMEN
Base Runner
‎12-30-2020 10:33
‎12-30-2020 10:33

i am voter #8. How long do we need to wait

sanderpors
First Steps
‎12-30-2020 10:56
‎12-30-2020 10:56

What I would suggest all is to take legal steps against FitBit. Because failing to take up this issue is a direct violation of privacy laws.

AMN1million
First Steps
‎12-30-2020 12:59
‎12-30-2020 12:59

I found this article in the Daily Mail Australia which talks about a fix having been put in place.  What is this fix?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9098705/Another-13m-plunged-Tier-4-despite-vaccine-breakthr...

AMN1million
First Steps
‎12-30-2020 13:00
‎12-30-2020 13:00

My apologies,  the correct url is here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9056987/Fitbit-porn-scandal-Boy-12-sent-message-porn-star.h...

SunsetRunner
Not applicable
‎12-30-2020 13:56
‎12-30-2020 13:56

@AMN1million That's really interesting, as the original poster of this thread I am shocked at how bad it has got. Wish they would share the 'fix' with us (if it is even live yet). Am seriously considering Garmin... Does anyone know if that can display kilojoules on the watch instead of calories? After having a Fitbit will you loose any features? 

MYLAMEN
Base Runner
‎12-31-2020 11:11
‎12-31-2020 11:11
In the settings options under privacy, add a switch that blocks all invitations to be received, to prevent all invites to be received.
MYLAMEN
Base Runner
‎12-31-2020 11:14
‎12-31-2020 11:14
 

I am trying my best to advocate for this. But as much as I do not want to be visible, I have to be in order to be be heard. This makes no sense to me? Anyways I support this feature and hope it will be implemented for the benefit of all. 

👇Please support and vote for this👇 For your sake and for the sake of other children that use Fitbit. 

 

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Make-Fitbit-account-profile-invisible-and-unsear...

 

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Fitbit-need-to-make-it-an-option-to-turn-off-dir...

 

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Turn-off-Friend-Requests-to-avoid-romantic-reque...

 

Thank you.

 

Even though this is something that should never have to be voted on

danaem
First Steps
‎12-31-2020 13:39
‎12-31-2020 13:39

Agree, this is just basic corporate responsibility.  This should not even require voting or review.  This should be prioritized on the product roadmap.  Sexual harassment should not to tolerated.  While members are responsible for their own behaviour, you created the forum in which it occurs.  You should monitor and regulate these occurrences. 

SunsetRunner
Not applicable
‎12-31-2020 17:12
‎12-31-2020 17:12

Got my vote! 

YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum
‎01-01-2021 21:50
‎01-01-2021 21:50

Hi @MYLAMEN, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to turn off Friend Requests to avoid romantic requests. Thanks for sharing your feedback. I've moved it into a similar request.  A lot of users are asking for this option, I hope we receive updates soon.

Jupitercrash
First Steps
‎01-09-2021 10:59
‎01-09-2021 10:59
Users should be allowed to set accounts to fully private and turn off private messages from strangers.
SunsetRunner
Not applicable
‎01-10-2021 15:54
‎01-10-2021 15:54

I support this. I am shocked to see that this option is lacking. The Social feature should be an option.

YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum
‎01-11-2021 14:52
‎01-11-2021 14:52

Hi @Jupitercrash, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to turn off Friend Requests on the Fitbit app. Thanks for sharing your feedback. I've moved it into a similar request.  A lot of users are asking for this option, I hope we receive updates soon.

MYLAMEN
Base Runner
‎01-11-2021 15:15
‎01-11-2021 15:15

@YojanaFitbit Who do I talk to to get this ball rolling?

dzeffarski
Jogger
‎03-02-2021 07:48
‎03-02-2021 07:48

This feature is useless.  How does somebody making 20,000 steps going to encourage me to walk further?  I do I want to get annoying updates for 1, 5, 25 friends?

Why is fitbit 'trying' to be cool?  Where's the oversight; what about underage children using a fitbit? 

vwdeem
Jogger
‎10-31-2021 12:22
‎10-31-2021 12:22
Please please please make it possible to turn off friend requests.
LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator
‎10-31-2021 13:59
‎10-31-2021 13:59

Hi @vwdeem, thanks for sharing this suggestion about being able to turn off friend requests with us. Because this idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Please click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

Hward8892
First Steps
‎12-14-2021 03:59
‎12-14-2021 03:59
There should be a privacy setting where people cannot message you or add you as a friend unless they know your name or something.
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