As per reports, the European Commission announced today that due to Google’s concessions in the use of user-health data, it has approved Google’s $2.1 billion gain of health tracking company Fitbit.
According to European Commission, these concessions made by Google are valid for 10 years and maybe enhanced for another 10 years, which eliminates the EU’s concerns about Google’s entry into the field of health data and tools.
Google will store Fitbit user data separately from Google data used for advertising, and will not use data from Fitbit and other wearable devices for Google advertising. along with, users can decide whether to store their health data in their Google or Fitbit accounts.
Additionally, Google will use the Fitbit Web API software to manage the software apps access to the user’s health and fitness data, without charging access fees, and with the user’s consent. Google will also continue to provide free API software authorization to Android device manufacturers to ensure that their devices are compatible with Android smartphones.
The statement of The EU’s head of antitrust affairs, Margrethe Vestager, ‘These commitments will determine how Google uses the collected data for advertising purposes and how to protect competitors’ wearable devices. Interoperability between Android and Android, and how users continue to share health and fitness data.
The company said, ‘We believe that this transaction will stimulate innovation in wearable devices and enable us to create products that help people live healthier lives’.
Last year, Google announced the gain of Fitbit for $2.1 billion. In August this year, the European Commission announced that it had launched an in-depth antitrust investigation, mainly worried that this transaction would further strengthen Google’s dominant position in the online advertising market.
(Via)
