Google and Fitbit: the acquisition should be approved shortly by the EU

Final November, Google introduced its intention to purchase Fitbit for a worth of 2.1 billion {dollars}. Though apparently the customers would have benefited most, with a larger choice of smartwatches and good bands, it was instantly clear that Google might be extra within the medical and bodily information collected on customers than the {hardware} and software program division itself. For that reason, the EU suspended the acquisition following an intensive investigation by the Antitrust Authority.

At this level, the acquisition continues to be pending regulatory approval however, in accordance with a Reuters report, the $ 2.1 billion buy will obtain EU antitrust clearance shortly.

Consumer information privateness stays a serious concern, and the report says Google has supplied to restrict using Fitbit information for Google adverts by extra diligently monitoring the gathering course of. “We’re additionally formalizing our long-standing dedication to help different wearables producers on Android and to proceed to permit Fitbit customers to hook up with third-party companies by way of API if they need.“, Confirms Google in a press release.

The Fee now wants to analyze additional competitors and client suggestions earlier than deciding whether or not to grant its approval or search additional concessions past what Google has submitted. The Fee ought to take a choice earlier than December 23rd.

Google’s acquisition of Fitbit exhibits the corporate’s curiosity in focusing additional on the wearable facet of Android: Put on OS. We may see Put on OS endure an entire restyling and even the creation, after a number of unsuccessful makes an attempt that by no means acquired past the prototype stage, of a “Made by Google” smartwatch.

Regardless of being the one working system open to all producers, Put on OS falls behind rivals like Apple, Samsung, Huawei and different low-cost health trackers from producers like Xiaomi. If the acquisition goes easily, we might even see Google lastly discipline its ace up its sleeve to problem the competitors.