• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Law

Google’s Fitbit Purchase Under Regulatory Scrutiny

  • Google’s $2.1 billion purchase of wearable company Fitbit, finalized in January, is under regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. and Australia.
  • The company is appealing an antitrust fine from the European Commission.
man_wearing_smart_watch
Fitbit/Design: Alex Brooks

Google bought Fitbit in January, but for U.S. and Australian regulators, it’s not a done deal.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the antitrust-focused Australian Competition and Consumer Commission are still investigating the $2.1 billion deal, according to Rod Sims, who heads the Australian regulatory agency.

Sims explained Friday that his agency was still determining whether the deal presents privacy issues regarding the tech giant’s huge store of consumer data.

Google agreed to restrict the use of Fitbit data in its ad targeting to gain approval from the European Commission in September 2020.

The Fitbit acquisition represents Google’s major foray into wearables — it shares a wearable tech platform with Samsung — amid other major tech and fitness companies pushing into the category.

  • The Apple Watch integrates with the company’s Apple Fitness+ workout subscription program and has been steadily adding health tracking features.
  • Facebook and Peloton are both working on biometric-tracking wearables.
  • Facebook has explored integrating data from its Oculus Move VR workout system into Apple’s health app.

This is not Google’s first antitrust challenge.

Last month, Google filed an appeal of a $5 billion fine issued by the European Commission over antitrust claims regarding its Android operating system — the largest such fine ever issued by the governing body.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 30, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) shoots the ball against the Houston Cougars in the first half during the Midwest Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Trump’s DOJ Files Brief in Zeigler NCAA Eligibility Case

Zakai Zeigler is asking to play for Tennessee’s basketball team a fifth year.

NFL Nears Deal for YouTube Game That Could Break Streaming Records

YouTube closing in on a deal to show a game from Brazil.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.

Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach

The NFL is going all-in on streaming for its Christmas Day games.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya’s Legal Win Could Reopen Fight Against Testosterone Limits

The Olympian champion’s appeal against gender eligibility rules continues.
May 9, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Sports are shown on TVs behind the bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in the Short North. Though there are no on-site betting windows, eligible customers can place bets through the DraftKings app.
July 3, 2025

PrizePicks Drops Suit Against Ex-Employee Who Left for DraftKings

The ex-employee still disputes the allegations.
A set of trading cards
July 9, 2025

Judge Rules Against Fanatics as Panini Case Gets Rancorous

A judge ordered Fanatics to turn over unredacted trading card licenses.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Wander Franco
June 26, 2025

Wander Franco Convicted of Child Sex Abuse, Receives 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Franco can avoid jail time but is unlikely to return to MLB.
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium
June 24, 2025

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.