Change is coming to Fitbit in 2023.
According to Engadget, with the 2023 update of Fitbit, it will require users to have a Google account in order to access the wearable. This means that in order to use the device, users would have to link it to their Google account.
Google Accounts will be Required in Order to use Fitbit
From 2023 onwards, the integration of Fitbit with Google is going to get deeper as Google Accounts will be required in order to use Fitbit.
According to 9to5Google, currently "Fitbit still continues to provide its products and services separately from Google."
However, in 2023, Fitbit will enable the use of the device with a Google account. This is revealed by Fitbit in its help page.
The integration of Fitbit with Google doesn't really come as a surprise after the tech giant acquired Fitbit for $2.1 billion in 2021.
Security for sensitive data such as health and fitness are seen as one of the benefits of the integration. Currently, Fitbit keeps its own login system with two-factor authentication done over SMS.
A Google log in option was already added, while the Facebook log in was removed by Fitbit last year.
In the upcoming 2023 update, users will be required to sign in using Google account for certain uses of Fitbit.
Newly released Fitbit devices and features could require users to sign in using Google account. This could happen with Fitbit's premium Wear OS 3 watch.
In addition, by early 2025 Fitbit will completely end support for the brand's accounts. When this happens, Google account will be necessary to use its fitness devices and smartwatches.
According to Fitbit, they will be transparent with their moves. They will also provide notification to the users of the exact date when the users need to move their Fitbit to their Google account.
As soon as the support arrives next year, the brand will include the option to move your current Fitbit device to a Google account.
Read Also: Here is What You Have to Know About Fitbit's Sleep Profiles Feature
Users Will be Required to Move Fitbit to Their Google Account by 2025
If you are currently using your Fitbit account right now, you can either move Fitbit to your Google account or to continue to use your existing Fitbit devices and services. This should work until Fitbit account is no longer supported.
According to 9to5Google, users can keep using their non-Google Fitbit account until early 2025. But afterwards, they would be needing to migrate to their Google account in order to use new device or health features.
Once the change rolled out, users will be given an option to "move Fitbit to your Google account."
According to Fitbit, Google made binding commitments with global regulators that users' health and wellness data will not be used for ads. Moreover, the said information will be separate from what the company send to advertisers.
According to Engadget, since the time it announced the acquisition of Fitbit, Google said that it will not be using Fitbit data for ad targeting.
Google made the commitment formally to the European Commission in 2020 to prevent any antitrust probe.
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