US justice to investigate Google's Fitbit takeover

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American justice is concerned that the takeover of Fitbit by Google will allow the American giant to collect even more personal data. An issue that you also raised with us via a survey.

Personal data comes back to the fore. According to New york post, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will launch an investigation into the acquisition of Fitbit by Alphabet, the parent company of Google. A compulsory procedure since the Hart – Scott – Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, inaugurated in 1976, in order to ensure that it does not run counter to the right to competition. In the present case, the two government agencies fear that such an acquisition could allow Google to hold a lot of information on the health of American citizens. A problem that seems to worry you as much, you, readers of digital.

Historically, most Google acquisitions have been audited by the FTC. But the Commerce Department would like to take ownership of the file in order to integrate it into a much larger file around the possible anti-competitive practices of the "G" of GAFAM. According to a lawyer contacted by our colleagues from New york post, "the justice department has a direct line with the White House"It must be said that the Trump administration is trying to put a damper on Google's wheels, the American president having declared last August that he intended to observe closely the actions of Alphabet.

A problem that worries our readers

At the time of the purchase of Fitbit, we were quick to ask your opinion on personal data. And out of 999 participants, you were 42% (422) who did not fear for your personal data. You were 34% (340) worried. And among this group, 59% said they were ready to change the brand of smart health connected watch. How Google is going to manage this problem in the coming weeks. We will keep you informed.

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