Calls for Google’s $2.1bn Fitbit deal to be blocked over data fears
Takeover would gives Google access to a huge trove of heart rate, activity and sleep data
Attendees wait to ask a question of a Google Assistant at a giant “Hey Google” gumball machine game at CES 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photograph: Robyn Beck / AFP
Politicians and privacy campaigners have called for Google’s $2.1bn deal for Fitbit to be blocked, over fears the search giant will feed its growing healthcare business with the data of the 27 million people who use Fitbit fitness trackers.
The deal for Fitbit has been seen as an attempt by Google to catch up with the Apple Watch by buying a consumer wearables company.