Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B (cnbc.com)

Article summary

Google's parent company Alphabet is acquiring Fitbit, a smartwatch maker, for $2.1 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in 2020 and will help Google advance its ambitions for Wear OS, its software for smartwatches. Fitbit's health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads, according to the announcement. The move pits Alphabet against fellow tech giant Apple in the wearable fitness tracking space.

Main themes

• Google acquisition
• Fitbit
• Wear OS
• Data privacy
• Competition with Apple

What commenters say

• The acquisition raises concerns about the potential misuse of Fitbit users' health and wellness data by Google.
• Some users are worried that Google will eventually kill off Fitbit or compromise its privacy stance.
• There are doubts about Google's claim that it will not use Fitbit data for ads, given its history of changing policies.
• The acquisition highlights the need for users to have control over their own data and for manufacturers to prioritize data privacy.
• Some commenters believe that Apple is a more trustworthy option when it comes to data privacy, while others disagree.
• The deal may lead to more advanced technology being developed for wearable devices, but at the cost of user privacy.
• There are concerns that the acquisition will lead to a loss of innovation and competition in the wearable market.