Reuters: Google may be able to avoid EU antitrust investigation into its acquisition of Fitbit

Google has pledged not to use Fitbit's health data to help it target ads, a move that could avoid a full European Union antitrust investigation into its planned $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Separately, the person said Google could try to ease competition concerns by promising EU competition enforcers not to use Fitbit's health and wellness data in Google ads. The European Commission declined to comment.

It is reported that Google announced in November last year that it would acquire Fitbit for US$2.1 billion in order to gain a foothold in the fitness tracker and smart watch market.

Australia's competition regulator said this month it may have concerns about the deal and will make a final decision in August, while EU antitrust regulators will also decide by July 20 whether to approve the deal or launch a long-term investigation.

Earlier, 20 advocacy groups from the United States, Europe, Latin America and other regions signed a statement urging regulators to be wary of Google's acquisition of Fitbit.

The 20 advocacy groups believe that the deal will continue to expand Google's influence in the digital market. Specifically, they said that after acquiring Fitbit, Google will obtain detailed information about users, such as how many steps they take per day, sleep quality and heart rate.

In response, a Google spokesperson said the deal was about collaboration on devices rather than data, and that Google and Fitbit's collaboration on hardware would intensify competition in the wearable device market.