Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Google Health AI coach reported to hallucinate workouts and health data
Issue disclosure
Fitbit users reported that Google's redesigned Google Health app and its premium AI Health Coach hallucinated workouts and health data. According to the reports, this included fabricated workout summaries, incorrect exercise numbers, and false sleep tracking. The issue prompted complaints on social media and subscription cancellations.
Source excerpt
People have reported Google Health giving them “wildly incorrect” exercise numbers, mistaking walking or even folding laundry for swimming workouts, imagining 5am runs and house moves that never occurred, and more.
it’s clear that something is going wrong with Google Health for a lot of users, and it’s leaving them exasperated and ending their AI subscriptions.
users are noticing that it seems to be prone to hallucinating workouts that simply did not happen.
2025
Civil penalty related to Ionic reporting
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a civil penalty concerning Fitbit’s reporting of the Ionic burn hazard.
2022
Ionic overheating recall
Fitbit recalled approximately 1.7 million Ionic smartwatches after battery overheating reports, including reports of second- and third-degree burns.
2022
Fitbit recalls Ionic smartwatches after burn injuries
Recall announced
Fitbit recalled Ionic smartwatches after users reported burn injuries associated with battery overheating. The company said customers should stop using the affected model and contact Fitbit to return it; customers would receive a full refund and a discount on certain Fitbit products.
Company response
Refund or compensation — Fitbit
Customers will receive a full refund and a discount of 40% to purchase certain Fitbit products, the company said.
Source excerpt
Google-owned Fitbit has recalled 1 million of its Ionic smartwatches after dozens of users reported burn injuries after the battery overheated.
Google-owned Fitbit has recalled 1 million of its Ionic smartwatches, Wednesday, March 2, 2022 after dozens of users reported burn injuries because the battery overheated.
2022
Fitbit recalls Ionic smartwatches over burn hazard
Recall announced
Fitbit announced a voluntary recall of approximately 1 million Ionic smartwatches after reports that their batteries could overheat and cause burns. Consumers were advised to stop using the watches and return them for a $299 refund.
Company response
Recall — Fitbit
we are conducting a voluntary recall of Fitbit Ionic smartwatches
Refund or compensation — Fitbit
Upon receipt of the device, consumers will be issued a refund of $299 and receive a discount code for select Fitbit products
Source excerpt
Google-owned Fitbit is recalling its Ionic smartwatches due to a burn hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
After returning the device, consumers will be issued a refund of $299 and a discount code for 40% off select Fitbit devices.
The lithium-ion batteries in the smartwatches can overheat, which could cause burns, the CPSC said.
2020
BEUC warns of potential consumer and innovation harms from Google-Fitbit deal
Issue disclosure
The European consumer organisation BEUC stated that Google's acquisition of Fitbit could harm consumer interests and hinder innovation. BEUC warned that access to Fitbit user health data could allow Google to use the data for its own benefit and weaken other companies' ability to offer products. Google said it would not sell personal information and that Fitbit health data would not be used for Google advertising.
European consumer organisation BEUC said that Google's acquisition of Fitbit could harm consumer interests and hinder innovation. BEUC warned that access to Fitbit user health data could allow Google to use the data for its own benefit and weaken other companies' ability to offer products. Google said it would not sell personal information and that Fitbit health data would not be used for Google advertising.
Stated objective. Ensure Google’s control of the data does not distort market competition.
Company response
Clarification — Google
谷歌表示：“我们永远不会向任何人出售个人信息，Fitbit的健康数据也不会用于谷歌广告。我们会上Fitbit的用户拥有自由选择查看、移动或删除他们私人数据的权力。”
Clarification — Google
對此，Google發言人表示，這次收購的重點不在於獲取用戶數據，而是Google想要提升裝置方面的技術，Google不會利用Fitbit的用戶資料獲取廣告收入或增強資料庫。
Source excerpt
谷歌表示：“我们永远不会向任何人出售个人信息，Fitbit的健康数据也不会用于谷歌广告。我们会上Fitbit的用户拥有自由选择查看、移动或删除他们私人数据的权力。”
欧洲消费者组织BEUC于周三表示， 谷歌斥资21亿美元收购健身追踪器公司Fitbit可能会损害消费者利益、同时阻碍创新。此外，BEUC称这笔交易改变了数字健康市场的游戏规则。
BEUC在一份报告中称：“如果谷歌获得了那些使用Fitbit可穿戴设备产生的消费者数据，包括现在与COVID-19相关的数据，它就能够利用这些数据为自身谋取利益、同时削弱其他公司向消费者推出新产品的能力。
2020
Google pledges not to use Fitbit user data for targeted ads
Company response
Google committed not to use user data obtained through its Fitbit acquisition for targeted advertising. The pledge came amid concerns raised by consumer advocacy groups regarding the acquisition and ad targeting. The commitment addressed the use of Fitbit user data specifically for advertising purposes, responding to worries voiced by advocacy organizations about how data from the acquisition might be used.
Google committed not to use user data from its Fitbit acquisition to target ads, amid concerns raised by consumer advocacy groups about the acquisition and ad targeting.
Stated objective. Safeguard consumers' expectations that Fitbit device data won't be used for advertising.
Company response
Clarification — Google
Google said in an emailed statement.Reuters reported last week that such a data pledge may likely help Google secure EU approval for the deal.
Source excerpt
The primary concern, as per the advocates, was that Google would use Fitbit's data to more effectively deploy ad targeting and further its dominance in the digital ads sector.
Google has now made that commitment, leaving the EU's regulators until July 20 to accept or carry out a more thorough probe.
"This deal is about devices, not data. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the European Commission on an approach that safeguards consumers' expectations that Fitbit device data won't be used for advertising," Google said in an emailed statement.
2014
Force skin-irritation recall
Fitbit worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the Force after reports of allergic reactions, skin irritation, and blistering.
2011
Public-by-default activity data
Users and commentators criticized Fitbit settings that exposed manually entered activity records publicly unless users changed their privacy preferences. Fitbit responded by making the information private by default.