Google to win EU antitrust approval for $2.1 billion Fitbit deal

Google is set to win European Union antitrust approval for its $2.1 billion acquisition of FitBit, a Google spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. 

Google said it has been working with the European Commission on an “updated approach to safeguard consumers’ expectations” that Fitbit devices won’t be used for advertising. 

“This deal is about devices, not data. The wearables space is highly crowded, and we believe the combination of Google and Fitbit’s hardware efforts will increase competition in the sector, benefiting consumers and making the next generation of devices better and more affordable,” the spokesperson said in a statement. 

“We’re also formalizing our longstanding commitment to supporting other wearable manufacturers on Android and to continue to allow Fitbit users to connect to third party services via APIs if they want to,” the spokesperson added. 

Reuters first reported the expected EU antitrust approval on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources. 

The newswire had reported Google offered to make it easier for rival makers of wearable devices to connect to the Android platform by offering them access to the Android application programmatic interface, Reuters reported.

Google’s acquisition of FitBit comes as the tech giant has struggled to break into the wearables market and will now more directly compete with Apple. 

Spokespeople for Google and FitBit were not immediately available to comment regarding the reported expected EU antitrust approval.

Updated at 10:06 a.m.