The Long Wait for Google's $2.1 Billion Fitbit Deal (axios.com) 3
Google's $2.1 billion deal for Fitbit might go down as the only merger to qualify as both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic. From a report: European Union antitrust regulators have again extended their decision deadline, this time to Jan. 8, 2021. And it could be further complicated by U.S. authorities, who are drawing up a broader antitrust case against Google and/or its parent company Alphabet. The deal was originally announced on Nov. 1, 2019. The delay is about data: Google has always said the acquisition is centered on devices, but that alone hasn't allayed regulator fears over what happens to the information those devices collect. Reuters reports that Google recently offered concessions to the European Commission: It would "restrict the use of Fitbit data for Google ads, facilitate rival makers of wearables seeking to connect to the Android platform and allow third parties' continued access to Fitbit users' data with their consent." These revisions appear to have satisfied the EC, but that could change once analyzed by outside critics. Plus, again, there are those pesky Americans.
Google owning Fitbit is perfect.. (Score:2, Troll)
If these people had their way you'd have something surgically implanted in your brain so they could not only track you everywhere you go, but hear what you're thinking and put ads in your head. Screw these fuckers and their invasive crap.
Re: (Score:3)
Surprised to see so little interest in this topic. I basically agree with your comment (though you don't need the profanity) and I raise you Chapter 9 of Homo Deus by Yuval Harari. The potential threat of Google's surveillance is gigantic.
I guess I need a disclaimer, since I just bought another Huawei band. It's not that I trust Huawei that much or that I am not reverse-motivated by Trump's antipathy towards Huawei, but rather that I know Huawei is NOT trusted so their devices and software are receiving t
IMHO it's too late (Score:2)
Fitbit, at least among my group, is on the way out. Most of my friends have moved on to Samsung or Apple watches. I predict it will be another flop for Google.