EU privacy body warns of privacy risks in Google, Fitbit deal

BRUSSELS: Alphabet Inc-possessed Google’s US$2.1 billion offered for wellness trackers organization Fitbit could present security chances, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) cautioned on Thursday, adding its voice to different pundits of the arrangement.

Google declared the arrangement in November a year ago, as it tries to contend with Apple and Samsung in the packed market for wellness trackers and keen watches.

Fitbit, whose wellness trackers and different gadgets screen clients’ day by day steps, calories consumed and separation voyaged, would give the U.S. tech goliath access to a trove of wellbeing information accumulated from Fitbit gadgets.

Such access is stressing, the EU security guard dog said.

“The conceivable further blend and collection of touchy individual information with respect to individuals in Europe by a significant tech organization could involve an elevated level of hazard to security and information assurance,” it said.

It encouraged the organizations to survey their information security necessities and security suggestions in a straightforward manner and alleviate conceivable security and information insurance chances before looking for EU antitrust endorsement for the arrangement.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who will vet the arrangement, in November voiced her interests about huge organizations focusing on information overwhelming opponents.

The European Commission on Thursday in a messaged remark said it still couldn’t seem to be officially advised.

“It is consistently dependent upon the organizations to tell exchanges with an EU measurement to the European Commission,” it said.