In November of 2019, Google announced it intended to acquire wearable device maker Fitbit for $2.1 billion. However, the acquisition has been delayed for over a year by antitrust concerns from the European Union over the increasing influence of Big Tech.
Now, the European Union has given their approval of the deal, so long as Google follows two key conditions laid out. The purpose of the conditions are to ensure “the market for wearables and the nascent digital health space will remain open and competitive,” according to the EU competition commissioner.
The first condition is that Google not use data collected from the devices for ad targeting. The second is that Google will ensure that Android devices will continue to work with other wearable devices. Both apply for a period of at least 10 years.
These concessions are consistent with the EU’s increasingly stringent attitude towards tech giants.