Fitbit Increases Security Requirements, Mandates Google Login From 2023

Wearable pioneer Fitbit has revealed a brand new clause that may require customers to undertake a Google account for logins subsequent 12 months.

“In 2023 we plan to launch Google accounts on Fitbit, which can allow use of Fitbit with a Google account,” the corporate wrote in a weblog publish. “After the date of this launch, some makes use of of Fitbit would require a Google account.”

These will embody signing up for a Fitbit, activating new Fitbit gadgets and options launched after the launch of Google accounts on Fitbit, and activating sure Fitbit options incorporating Google services (e.g., Google Assistant on appropriate gadgets).

The corporate additionally mentioned that after the launch of Google accounts on Fitbit, customers may have the choice to maneuver Fitbit to their Google account or to proceed utilizing Fitbit with their Fitbit account for so long as it’s supported. 

“Google accounts on Fitbit will assist an a variety of benefits for Fitbit customers, together with a single login for Fitbit and different Google providers, trade–main account safety, centralized privateness controls for Fitbit consumer knowledge, and extra options from Google on Fitbit,” the corporate wrote.

To ease privateness considerations, Fitbit has additionally arrange a web page detailing its relationship with Google roughly two years after the tech big’s acquisition. The doc additionally clarifies that customers’ private info transferred by Fitbit to Google won’t be used to serve adverts.

“Help of Fitbit accounts will proceed till a minimum of the start of 2025. After assist of Fitbit accounts ends, a Google account will probably be required to make use of Fitbit,” the corporate wrote.

The announcement comes months after Google reversed its latest choice to take away the app permissions record from the Google Play Retailer for Android.

Extra not too long ago, the corporate launched a brand new program geared toward rewarding researchers that discover bugs in its open supply tasks.