Fitbit

{{Infobox company

| name = Fitbit LLC

| logo =

| logo_size = 250

| traded_as = {{NASDAQ was|FIT}}

| industry = Consumer electronics

| products = See List of Fitbit products

| fate = Absorbed into Google

| foundation = {{Start date and age|2007|03|26}} in Delaware, U.S.

| defunct = {{End date|2021|01|14}} (as a company)

| former_name = {{ubl|Healthy Metrics Research, Inc.|Fitbit, Inc.}}

| founders = {{ubl|James Park|Eric Friedman}}

| homepage = {{URL|https://fitbit.com}}

| footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001447599/000144759920000016/fit-20191231.htm | title=Fitbit, Inc. 2020 Form 10-K Annual Report | publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission}}{{Cite web |url=https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/eCorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx | title=Department of State: Division of Corporations | publisher=Delaware}}

}}

Fitbit LLC was founded as Healthy Metrics Research, Inc. in San Francisco, California, on March 26, 2007, by James Park (CEO) and Eric Friedman (CTO). In October 2007, it changed its name to Fitbit, Inc.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/03/fitbit-ceo-james-park-on-habits-achieving-success-and-sale-to-google.html | title=Fitbit CEO and co-founder James Park on his own fitness routine and selling to Google for $2.1 billion | first=Cory | last=Stieg | work=CNBC | date=August 3, 2021}}

In January 2015, the company successfully defended against a trademark lawsuit from Fitbug.{{Cite web |url=https://casetext.com/case/fitbug-ltd-v-fitbit-inc-2 | title=Fitbug Limited v. Fitbit Inc. | publisher=Casetext}} On March 5, 2015, Fitbit acquired fitness coaching app developer Fitstar for $17.8 million.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150305005246/en/Market-Leader-Fitbit-Inc.-Acquires-FitStar-Creator-of-Popular-Health-Fitness-Training-Apps | title=Market Leader Fitbit Inc. Acquires FitStar, Creator of Popular Health & Fitness Training Apps | publisher=Business Wire | date=March 5, 2015}}{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/05/fitbit-confirms-fitstar-acquisition-to-bring-training-to-its-fitness-portfolio/ | title=Fitbit Confirms FitStar Acquisition To Bring Training To Its Fitness Portfolio | first=Ryan | last=Lawler | work=TechCrunch | date=March 5, 2015}} In June 2015, the company became a public company via an initial public offering, raising $732 million.{{cite news |title=Fitbit stock surges nearly 50% |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/06/18/investing/fitbit-ipo-stock-bounce/ |last=Bhattacharya|first=Ananya |date=June 18, 2015}}{{cite news|last=Hadi|first=Mohammed|date=May 7, 2015|title=Fitbit Files for IPO, to Seek NYSE Listing|agency=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-07/fitbit-files-for-ipo-to-seek-nyse-listing-i9el5rz0|access-date=May 10, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Ciaccia |first=Chris|date=June 2, 2015 |title=Fitbit Updates IPO Pricing |website=The Street|url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/13171588/1/fitbit-updates-ipo-pricing-as-apple-watch-gets-set-for-retail-launch.html}}{{cite web|title=Fitbit files for IPO, reports strong growth/profits |url=http://seekingalpha.com/news/2504406-fitbit-files-for-ipo-reports-strong-growth-profits|last=Jhonsa |first=Eric|date=May 7, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2015}} In May 2016, Fitbit acquired a wearable payment platform from smart credit card company Coin.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/18/11700658/fitbit-coin-acquisition-announced |title=Fitbit is buying Coin so it can make a fitness tracker that pays for things | first=Chris | last=Welch | work=The Verge | date=May 18, 2016}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/05/19/fitbit-buys-coins-wearable-payment-platform/84582962/ | title=Fitbit buys Coin's wearable payment platform | first=Eli | last=Blumenthal | work=USA Today | date=May 19, 2016}} In October 2016, CEO James Park announced that the company was undergoing a major transformation from what he called a "consumer electronics company" to a "digital healthcare company".{{Cite news|last=Stevenson|first=Abigail|date=October 6, 2016|title=Fitbit CEO reveals he's transforming the mission and purpose of the company|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/06/fitbit-ceo-reveals-hes-transforming-the-mission-and-purpose-of-the-company.html|access-date=October 6, 2016|via=CNBC}} On December 6, 2016, Fitbit acquired assets from Pebble for $23 million.{{Cite press release |url=https://investor.fitbit.com/press/press-releases/press-release-details/2016/Fitbit-Inc-Acquires-Assets-from-Pebble/default.aspx |title=Fitbit, Inc. Acquires Assets from Pebble |website=Fitbit |date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-date=December 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207162528/https://investor.fitbit.com/press/press-releases/press-release-details/2016/Fitbit-Inc-Acquires-Assets-from-Pebble/default.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/22/fitbit-pebble-acquisition/ | title=Fitbit reveals it paid $23 million to acquire Pebble's assets | first=Brian | last=Heater | work=TechCrunch | date=February 22, 2017}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016-12-07-fitbit-buys-pebble.html | title=Fitbit buys Pebble's smarts, but not its products | first=Matt | last=Brian | work=Engadget | date=December 7, 2016}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/7/13867158/fitbit-buys-pebble-smartwatch-acquisition-deal | title=Fitbit formally announces that it is buying smartwatch maker Pebble | first=Lauren | last=Goode | work=The Verge | date=December 7, 2016}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-07/pebble-said-to-discuss-selling-software-assets-to-fitbit | title=Fitbit Buys Software Assets From Smartwatch Startup Pebble | work=Bloomberg News | date=December 7, 2016 | url-access=subscription}}

On January 10, 2017, Fitbit acquired Romania-based smartwatch startup Vector Watch SRL.{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/10/vector-smart-watch-startup-acquired-by-fitbit-as-wearable-giant-expands-its-team/ |title=Fitbit acquires the Vector smartwatch startup, as the wearable giant continues its roll-up |last=Butcher |first=Mike |website=TechCrunch |date=January 11, 2017}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/01/10/fitbit-acquires-smartwatch-maker-vector-watch/96388730/ | title=Fitbit acquires smartwatch maker Vector Watch | first=Brett | last=Molina | work=USA Today | date=January 10, 2017}}

On February 13, 2018, Fitbit acquired Twine Health.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/13/17008620/fitbit-twine-health-cloud-health-care-software-company-health-wellness |title=Fitbit just acquired a cloud-based health care company that you probably haven't heard of |work=The Verge | date=February 13, 2018}} In February 2018, Fitbit announced a partnership with Adidas to release an Adidas-branded Fitbit Ionic; it was released on March 19, 2018.{{Cite news |title=The Adidas-branded Fitbit Ionic smartwatch arrives March 19 for $330 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/27/the-adidas-branded-fitbit-ionic-smartwatch-arrives-march-19-for-330/ |work=TechCrunch| date=February 27, 2018}} In August 2018, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association announced a partnership with Fitbit in which BCBS will include Fitbit's wearables and fitness trackers in its Blue365 program.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-cross-blue-shield-association-partners-with-fitbit-to-deliver-special-offer-on-fitbit-devices-to-over-60-million-members-300692709.html | title=Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Partners with Fitbit to Deliver Special Offer on Fitbit Devices to over 60 Million Members | publisher=PR Newswire | date=August 7, 2018}}

In January 2021, Fitbit was acquired by Google and absorbed into its hardware division.{{cite news |title=Google completes Fitbit acquisition |url=https://blog.google/products/devices-services/fitbit-acquisition/ | website=The Keyword | date=January 14, 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/14/google-closes-its-fitbit-acquisition.html | title=Google closes its Fitbit acquisition | first=Jessica | last=Bursztynsky | website=CNBC | date=January 14, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |title=Google completes purchase of Fitbit |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/14/22188428/google-fitbit-acquisition-completed-approved |website=The Verge |date=January 14, 2021}} The acquisition was scrutinized by regulators concerned over Google's access to personal data in both the United States and Europe.{{Cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-11-google-fitbit-doj-probe-report.html |title=Google reportedly facing a DOJ probe over its $2.1 billion Fitbit purchase | first=Mariella | last=Moon | website=Engadget| date=December 11, 2019}}{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=James|title=EU launches full investigation into Google's Fitbit acquisition over health data fears|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/4/21353947/google-fitbit-acquisition-eu-investigation-antitrust-health-tracking-data |website=The Verge |date=August 4, 2020}}{{cite press release |title=Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Fitbit by Google, subject to conditions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_2484 |website=European Commission | date=17 December 2020}} James Park stayed on as a vice president and general manager of Fitbit after Google's acquisition.

In August 2022, Google rebranded their Fitbit devices as "Fitbit by Google" on Fitbit's website and the Google Store.{{Cite web |last=Schoon |first=Ben |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Fitbit 'by Google' branding starts to take over ahead of upcoming Pixel Watch integration |url=https://9to5google.com/2022/08/24/fitbit-by-google/ |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=9to5Google }} On March 18, 2024, Google changed its Fitbit branding to Google Fitbit, removing the arrow icon and using Google Sans as the wordmark.{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=March 18, 2024 |title='Fitbit by Google' is dead, long live 'Google Fitbit' |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/03/17/google-fitbit-rebrand/ |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=9to5Google}}

In January 2024, it was reported that co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman were leaving the company following a reorganization of Google's hardware teams.{{cite web |last1=Li |first1=Abner |date=January 10, 2024 |title=Google reorganizing Pixel hardware: Fitbit's James Park leaving, layoffs hit AR team |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/01/10/google-reorganizing-hardware/ |website=9to5Google |access-date=20 March 2024}}

In August 2024, Google discontinued Fitbit's smartwatches, now exclusively focusing on the Pixel Watch line, the Fitbit brand would remain on trackers and on its apps.{{Cite web |last=Schoon |first=Ben |date=2024-08-19 |title=Google says it won't make more Fitbit smartwatches, Pixel Watch is the 'next iteration' |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/08/19/google-fitbit-smartwatches-pixel-watch/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=9to5Google |language=en-US}}

{{Main|List of Fitbit products}}

File:Fitibit Flex.jpg

The first product released was the Fitbit Tracker, which was released in 2009.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/06/11/fitbit-tracker-pedometer-lifestyle-heatlh-lifetracking.html|title=Getting Fitbit|last=Ewalt|first=David M.|author-link=David M. Ewalt |date=June 11, 2010|work=Forbes|access-date=July 21, 2021|language=en}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-fitbit-got-us-all-moving/ | title=How Fitbit Started the Wearables Craze That Got Us All Moving | first=PETER | last=RUBIN | magazine=Wired | date=September 15, 2018}}

In 2012, Fitbit began offering activity trackers, along with a website and a mobile app for iOS, Android and Windows 10 Mobile{{cite news |url=http://mashable.com/archive/fitbit-ios-update/ |title=Fitbit Updates App With Exercise and Run-Tracking Features |last=Bell |first=Karissa|website=Mashable |date=June 25, 2014 }} This allows the trackers to sync to devices such as mobile phones via Bluetooth, or to a Bluetooth-equipped computer running Windows or MacOS. Users have the ability to log their food, activities, and weight, to track over time and set daily and weekly goals for themselves for steps, calories burned and consumed, and distance walked. The app also offers a community page where users can challenge themselves and compete against other users. The social element anticipates an increase in motivation, and finds that users take an average of 700 more steps per day when they have friends on the app.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/fitbit-software-update-makes-your-tracker-more-personal-ces-2017/ |title=Fitbit's new software update makes your tracker more personal|last=Graziano|first=Dan|date=January 5, 2017}} Users can also choose to share their progress pictures and achievement badges.

In 2017, the company released its Fitbit Ionic smartwatch,{{cite web|last1=Simon|first1=Michael|title=Meet Fitbit Ionic: A little smartwatch, a lot of fitness tracker|url=http://www.macworld.com/article/3219717/software-health/meet-fitbit-ionic-a-little-smartwatch-a-lot-of-fitness-tracker.html|website=Macworld|access-date=August 28, 2017|date=August 28, 2017}} and in 2018, it released a redesigned, lower-priced version of the smartwatch called the Versa.{{Cite news|url=https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/fitbit-versa-review|title=Fitbit Versa review|last=Bell|first=Lee|date=June 27, 2018|work=TechRadar|access-date=October 19, 2018|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/26/17163210/fitbit-versa-smartwatch-review-wearable-tech-apple-watch|title=Fitbit's Versa is its best smartwatch yet|last=Goode|first=Lauren|date=2018-03-26|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=2020-02-28}}

The Fitbit Charge 3, a wristband health and fitness tracker introduced in October 2018, was the first device to feature an oxygen saturation (SPO2) sensor; however, as of January 2019, it was non-functional and Fitbit did not provide an implementation timeline.{{Cite news|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/fitbit-charge-3-896432/|title=Fitbit Charge 3 is here: Water-resistant, Fitbit Pay support, and a working SpO2 sensor|last=Westenberg|first=Jimmy|date=August 20, 2018|work=Android Authority|access-date=October 19, 2018|language=en-US}}

The Fitbit Charge 3 comes with two different-sized bands: small and large. The small is around between {{convert|5.5|-|7.1|inch|cm}} and the large is {{convert|7.1| - |8.7|inch|cm}}. Additionally, the screen is larger than the Charge 2 by approximately 40%. Fitbit Charge 3 comes in two color combos: a Rose-Gold case with a Blue Grey band and a “Graphite Aluminum” screen case with a Black band.Tom Fogden, Tech.co. "[https://tech.co/news/new-fitbit-charge-3-announced-2018-08 New Fitbit Charge 3 Announced]." August 24, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.

On December 17, 2018, Fitbit released the Fitbit OS 3.0, which included an extended dashboard, quick logging for weight and water intake, and goal-based exercise mode. The new extended on-device dashboard (Fitbit Today) would include more data regarding sleep, water intake and weight.Emil Protalinski, VentureBeat. "[https://venturebeat.com/2018/12/17/fitbit-os-3-0-and-new-apps-arrive-for-ionic-and-versa/ Fitbit OS 3.0 and new apps arrive for Ionic and Versa]." December 18, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.

There are three versions of the Fitbit Versa, standard, Special, and Lite.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 18, 2019|title=Fitbit Versa vs Versa Lite vs Versa Special Edition Compared|url=https://smartwatchchart.com/fitbit-versa-vs-versa-lite-vs-versa-special-edition-compared/|access-date=2021-03-12|website=Smartwatch Charts|language=en-US}}

In December 2018, Fitbit added an API and open source tools to allow developers to better build apps for its smartwatch products.Bill Otto, Wearurtech. "[https://wearurtech.com/what-is-a-fitbit/#fitbit-os-3-0-update Fitbit OS 3.0 Updates rolls out with new apps, quick access tiles, and more] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220141603/https://ausdroid.net/2018/12/20/fitbit-os-3-0-rolls-new-apps-quick-access-tiles/ |date=December 20, 2018 }}." December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.

On January 2, 2019, the company announced the release of the Fitbit Charge 3 in India.Mohammmad Farhan. "[https://www.theindianwire.com/gadgets/fitbit-charge-3-goes-sale-india-91836/ Fitbit Charge 3 goes on sale in India]." January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.Anand Deb, PC Tablet. "[https://pc-tablet.com/fitbit-announces-the-availability-of-charge-3-in-india/ Fitbit announces the availability of Charge 3 in India]". The Indian Wire. January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.

On June 3, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced Fitbit Flow, a ventilator in response to the shortages of ventilators in medical centers and hospitals around the world which are needed to treat critically ill patients.{{cite news| last=Akolawala| first=Tasneem| title=Fitbit Launches Low-Cost Emergency Ventilator 'Fitbit Flow' for COVID-19 Pandemic|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/others/news/fitbit-flow-ventilator-launch-fda-approved-features-2240502| work=NDTV | date=June 4, 2020}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/fitbit-unveils-fitbit-flow-a-low-cost-ventilator-to-save-lives-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-8448781.html | title=Fitbit Unveils 'Fitbit Flow', a Low-Cost Emergency Ventilator, to Aid During the Coronavirus Pandemic | work=Firstpost |date=June 4, 2020}} Despite getting emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration,{{cite web |url=https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/ventilators-and-ventilator-accessories-euas |title=Ventilators and Ventilator Accessories EUAs |date=September 11, 2020 |website=fda.gov |publisher=Food and Drug Administration |access-date=September 11, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912004603/https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/ventilators-and-ventilator-accessories-euas |archive-date=September 12, 2020 |quote=Intended Use The Fitbit Flow is indicated for the continuous mechanical ventilatory support of adult patients. The Fitbit Flow is an accessory to a manual resuscitator and consists of a reusable mechanical actuator and the single-use, disposable tubing assembly. The Fitbit Flow supports conventional Volume Control and Pressure Control modes of ventilation, as well as an 'Assist Control' feature to support breaths triggered by the patient. The Fitbit Flow is intended for use by qualified, trained personnel under the direction of a physician only when an FDA-cleared clinical ventilator is not available during the COVID-19 pandemic.}} the company does not consider Fitbit Flow as a drop-in replacement for traditional ventilators. Instead, the product is meant as an alternative when the more expensive option of traditional ventilators is not available. Therefore, the company intended for Fitbit Flow to be used only during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news| last=Porter| first=Jon| title=Fitbit's ventilator gets emergency FDA approval|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/4/21280132/fitbit-flow-ventilator-coronavirus-shortage-fda-emergency-use-authorization-hospitals| work=The Verge| date=June 4, 2020}}

In August 2020, Fitbit also announced new smartwatches, the Versa 3, the Inspire 2, and the Fitbit Sense, which includes new health metrics and analysis such as stress sensing, oxygen saturation, and skin temperature. The Sense also promises to show changes in skin temperature to catch signs of sickness.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/everything-fitbit-just-announced-sense-versa-3-and-inspire-2-for-health-tracking/ | title=Everything Fitbit just announced: Sense, Versa 3 and Inspire 2 for health tracking | first=Lexy | last=Savvides | work=CNET | date=August 25, 2020}}

Certain Sense, Versa, Ionic, and Charge products support Fitbit Pay, which is a digital wallet that uses NFC to make payments at point of sale. Google has stated their intention to eventually discontinue this payment method in most regions on July 29, 2024 and fully replace it with Google Wallet & Google Pay. Fitbit Pay will remain active Taiwan, Japan, and Saudi Arabia past the set discontinuation date for an unspecified length of time.{{Cite web |title=Fitbit Pay FAQ {{!}} Device Tokenization Developer Site |url=https://developers.google.com/pay/issuers/support/fitbit-faq |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Google for Developers |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/technology/fitbit-pay|title=Make purchases easy with Fitbit Pay™}}{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=2024-04-30 |title=Google Wallet replacing Fitbit Pay in July |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/04/30/google-wallet-fitbit-pay-2/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=9to5Google |language=en-US}}

In August 2022, Fitbit announced new smartwatches, the Versa 4, the Inspire 3, and the Sense 2, featuring incremental improvements mainly in fitness tracking features and battery life over the last iterations.{{Cite news |last=IANS |date=2022-08-25 |title=Fitbit announces Inspire 3, Sense 2, Versa 4 fitness tracker and watches |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/fitbit-announces-inspire-3-sense-2-versa-4-fitness-tracker-and-watches-122082500413_1.html |access-date=2022-08-25}}

In 2023, Fitbit released the Charge 6, which added support for Google Maps and YouTube Music.{{Cite web |last=Cipriani |first=Jason |date=2023-09-28 |title=Fitbit Charge 6 announced and available to preorder |url=https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics/fitbit-charge-6 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=CNN Underscored |language=en}}

File:FitbitStand.jpg

In 2008, Fitbit was named the runner-up at TechCrunch50,{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/09/10/yammer-takes-techcrunch50s-top-prize/|title=Yammer Takes Top Prize At TechCrunch50|publisher=AOL|work=TechCrunch|date=September 11, 2008 }} and in 2009, it was named both the "Innovation honoree" and "best in the Health & Wellness category" at CES.{{cite web|url=http://www.cesweb.org/awards/innovations/2009honorees.asp|title=CES Innovation Awards|work=International CES|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119092725/http://cesweb.org/awards/innovations/2009honorees.asp|archive-date=November 19, 2011}} In 2016, Fitbit ranked 37th of 50 for most innovative companies for that year.Fast Company. “[http://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies The Most Innovative Companies of 2016].” February 19, 2016. March 30, 2016. Also in 2016, Fitbit was ranked #46 on the Deloitte Fast 500 North America list.{{cite web|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-2016-fast-500-winners-by-rank.pdf|title=2016 Winners by rank|website=Deloitte|access-date=November 5, 2017|archive-date=November 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121233341/https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-2016-fast-500-winners-by-rank.pdf|url-status=dead}}

A small 2015 study had participants wear multiple devices on their wrists and hips while performing different walking/running speeds on a treadmill. Fitbit devices that are worn on the hip accurately measured steps taken within 1 step of 100% accuracy. Devices were worn on the wrist, however, were off by an average of 11 steps per minute. When measuring the number of calories burned, Fitbit devices worn on the hip underestimated by an average of 6%, while devices worn on the wrist overestimated calories burned by 21%. Authors concluded that both the Fitbit One and Fitbit Flex devices reliably measured step counts and energy expenditure, with hip-based Fitbit devices being more accurate than wrist-based devices.{{Cite journal |title=Fitbit®: An accurate and reliable device for wireless physical activity tracking|journal=International Journal of Cardiology |pmc=4406840| pmid=25795203| pages=138–140 |volume=185 |doi=10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.03.038| first1=Keith M. | last1=Diaz |first2=David J. |last2=Krupka |first3=Melinda J. |last3=Chang |first4=James |last4=Peacock |first5=Yao |last5=Ma |first6=Jeff |last6=Goldsmith |first7=Joseph E. |last7=Schwartz |first8=Karina W. |last8=Davidson |year=2015}}

A 2019 study found that the Fitbit Charge 2 accurately measures the average heart rate of healthy adults during sleep, and that it is most accurate for medium range of heart rate. However, the same study found that Fitbit Charge 2 relative to EEG, overestimated sleep efficiency by about 4%, but there was no difference in measured total sleep time.{{Cite journal|last1=Haghayegh|first1=Shahab|last2=Khoshnevis|first2=Sepideh|last3=Smolensky|first3=Michael H.|last4=Diller|first4=Kenneth R.|last5=Castriotta|first5=Richard J.|date=November 13, 2019|title=Performance assessment of new-generation Fitbit technology in deriving sleep parameters and stages|journal=Chronobiology International|volume=37|issue=1|pages=47–59|doi=10.1080/07420528.2019.1682006|issn=1525-6073|pmid=31718308|s2cid=207936993}}

A 2019 review found that Fitbit devices, which utilize the sleep-staging feature, show a better performance than non-sleep-staging models, especially in differentiating wake from sleep.{{Cite journal|last1=Haghayegh|first1=Shahab|last2=Khoshnevis|first2=Sepideh|last3=Smolensky|first3=Michael H.|last4=Diller|first4=Kenneth R.|last5=Castriotta|first5=Richard J.|date=November 28, 2019|title=Accuracy of Wristband Fitbit Models in Assessing Sleep: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis|journal=Journal of Medical Internet Research|volume=21|issue=11|pages=e16273|doi=10.2196/16273|issn=1438-8871|pmid=31778122|pmc=6908975 |doi-access=free }}

On February 20, 2014, Fitbit worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the Fitbit Force because some users experienced allergic reactions to the materials used in the product. On March 12, 2014, the CPSC made the recall official. At that time, there were 9,900 reports of skin irritation and 250 reports of blistering.{{cite press release |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Fitbit-Recalls-Force-Activity-Tracking-Wristband/ |title=Fitbit Recalls Force Activity-Tracking Wristband Due to Risk of Skin Irritation | publisher=U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |date=March 12, 2014 | quote=The firm has received about 9,900 reports of the wristband causing skin irritation and about 250 reports of blistering. }}

In April 2017, a woman claimed her Flex 2 device malfunctioned and caught fire, causing second-degree burns on her arm.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-sufferd-2nd-degree-burns-fitbit-exploded/story?id=46977279|title=Fitbit says woman's tracker didn't explode on its own|last=Allen|first=Karma|date=April 29, 2017 |publisher=ABC News}} Following an investigation, Fitbit was adamant that the exploding tracker was caused by external forces, and assured customers that it was not aware of any other complaints and that they could wear their own Fitbits without concern.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/04/25/fitbit--investigating-report-exploding-flex-2-fitness-band/100883662/|title=Fitbit says it's investigating report of exploding Flex 2|last=Baig|first=Edward C.|date=April 25, 2017|website=USA Today}}

During 2018, 2019 and 2020, Fitbit received reports of its Ionic smartwatches overheating, causing second-degree and third-degree burns.{{cite news |last1=Del Valle |first1=Gabby |title=Fitbit fined $12 million for Ionic smartwatches that burned 78 people |url=https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/23/24350413/fitbit-fine-ionic-smartwatch-burns |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=January 23, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Kate |title=Google-owned Fitbit to pay $12.2 million after consumers were burned by smartwatches |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-fitbit-smartwatch-burns-ionic/ |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=CBS News |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |date=January 23, 2025}} On March 2, 2022, Fitbit issued a voluntary recall of 1.7 million Ionic smartwatches, citing overheating issues with the battery posing a burn hazard.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Kate |title=Fitbit recalls nearly 2 million Ionic smartwatches due to burn hazard |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fitbit-recall-burn-hazard-ionic-smartwatch/ |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=CBS News |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |date=March 3, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2022 |title=Voluntary Safety Recall of Ionic Smartwatches |url=https://help.fitbit.com/en_US/ionic.htm |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=Fitbit Help}} At the time of the recall, there were 78 reports of skin burns in the United States and 40 internationally (and 115 reports of overheating in the US and 59 internationally).{{Cite web |last=Song |first=Victoria |date=2022-03-02 |title=Fitbit recalls Ionic smartwatch after 78 reports of burns |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/2/22957989/fitbit-ionic-recall-burns-smartwatch-fitness-tracker-refund |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=The Verge |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Fitbit Recalls Ionic Smartwatches Due to Burn Hazard; One Million Sold in the U.S. |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Fitbit-Recalls-Ionic-Smartwatches-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-One-Million-Sold-in-the-U-S |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |language=en}} On January 23, 2025, Fitbit was fined a $12.25{{nbsp}}million civil penalty for failing to immediately report the burn issue to the CPSC.

To set up and use Fitbit devices, users must create an account with Fitbit and agree to data collection, transfer and privacy rules.[https://www.fitbit.com/uk/legal/terms-of-service "Terms Of Service”] Creating an Account, February 9, 2017. Starting in June 2011, Fitbit was criticized for its website's default activity-sharing settings, which made users' manually-entered physical activities available for public viewing. All users had the option to make their physical activity information private, but some users were unaware that the information was public by default. One specific issue, which technology blogs made fun of, was that some users were including details about their sex lives in their daily exercise logs, and this information was, by default, publicly available.{{cite news |url=https://gizmodo.com/dear-fitbit-users-kudos-on-the-30-minutes-of-vigorous-5817784 | title=Dear Fitbit Users, Kudos On the 30 Minutes of "Vigorous Sexual Activity" Last Night | first=Jack | last=Loftus | publisher=Gawker Media | work=Gizmodo | date=July 3, 2011}} Fitbit responded to criticism by making all such data private by default and requesting that search engines remove indexed user profile pages from their databases.{{cite web |title=Fitbit Blog |url=http://blog.fitbit.com/?p=463 | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709180142/http://blog.fitbit.com/?p=463 | archive-date=July 9, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}

Fitbit's acquisition by Alphabet has resulted in concern that Fitbit user data could be combined with other Google services data or sold for purposes such as targeted advertising.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/17/people-getting-rid-of-fitbits-after-google.html |title=Some Fitbit users say they're getting rid of the devices because they don't trust Google | last=Elias | first=Jennifer | website=CNBC | date=November 17, 2019}} There are also concerns that user data could be sold to health insurance companies.{{Cite news |url=https://blog.avast.com/what-fitbit-knows-about-you-avast | title=Here's what your Fitbit knows about you | first=Emma | last=McGowan | work=Avast | date=January 19, 2021}} In response, Fitbit stated in 2019 that user data would not be used or sold for advertising by Google, citing that trustworthiness was "paramount" to the company, and that the sale would not change their historic commitment to user privacy and security.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/nov/05/fitbit-google-acquisition-health-data |title='Tossed my Fitbit in the trash': users fear for privacy after Google buys company | last=Paul | first=Kari | work=The Guardian | date=November 6, 2019 | issn=0261-3077}}{{cite press release |title=Fitbit to Be Acquired by Google |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191101005318/en/ |website=businesswire |publisher=Fitbit, Inc. |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102022820/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191101005318/en/ |archive-date=2 November 2019 |location=San Francisco |language=en |date=1 November 2019 |quote=Consumer trust is paramount to Fitbit. |url-status=live}}

The company's devices have also been used in criminal investigations.{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/11/when-fitbit-is-the-expert-witness/382936/ |title=When Fitbit Is the Expert Witness |work=The Atlantic |first=Kate |last=Crawford |date=November 19, 2014}}{{cite news |url=https://theconversation.com/how-your-fitbit-data-can-and-will-be-used-against-you-in-a-court-of-law-34580 |title=How your Fitbit data can and will be used against you in a court of law |work=The Conversation |first=David |last=Glance |date=November 24, 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/man-pleads-not-guilty-in-murder-case-using-fitbit-evidence/ |title=Man pleads not guilty in murder case using Fitbit evidence | agency=Associated Press | work=Seattle Times | date=April 28, 2017}}

On March 10, 2015, a woman allegedly fabricated a story in which an intruder appeared in her employer's home she was staying at and raped her. She told police that a man had assaulted her around midnight. Police found a Fitbit lying on the floor when they arrived at the scene. Prosecutors used the Fitbit as evidence and data to determine what had occurred. The Fitbit revealed that the woman was active throughout the night, and the Fitbit surveillance analysis demonstrated the woman had not gone to bed as she stated to the police, proving that the woman had lied to the police.{{Cite news |last=Gershman |first=Jacob |title=Prosecutors Say Fitbit Device Exposed Fibbing in Rape Case |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-LB-53611 | work=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 21, 2016 | url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news |url=https://metro.co.uk/2016/04/20/womans-fitbit-revealed-that-she-lied-about-being-raped-5829895/ | title=Woman's Fitbit revealed that she 'lied about being raped' | first=Rob | last=Waugh | work=Metro | date=April 20, 2016}}{{cite news |date=June 19, 2015 |title=Police: Woman's fitness watch disproved rape report |url=https://www.abc27.com/news/police-womans-fitness-watch-disproved-rape-report/ |work=WHTM-TV}}{{cite web |date=June 29, 2015 |title=Fitbit data just undermined a woman's rape claim |url=https://fusion.kinja.com/fitbit-data-just-undermined-a-womans-rape-claim-1793848735 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20180921105627/https://splinternews.com/fitbit-data-just-undermined-a-womans-rape-claim-1793848735 |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |work=Fusion}}

In 2017, a Fitbit device played a role in solving the murder of Connie Dabate by her husband, Richard Dabate.{{Cite news |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/04/fitness-trackers-are-poised-to-help-solve-crimes-especially-against-women.html | title=How a Fitbit Helped Solve a Murder Case | last=Schwedel | first=Heather | work=Slate | date=April 26, 2017 | issn=1091-2339}} Initially, Richard lied to police and law enforcement officials, claiming that an intruder had broken into their home and fatally shot his wife. However, Connie's Fitbit tracker showed that she was at the gym at the time Richard told police his wife was shot. Using Connie's Fitbit and analyzing her movements, analysts created a timeline that disproved Richard's story.{{cite news | last=Watts | first=Amanda | title=Cops use murdered woman's Fitbit to charge her husband |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/25/us/fitbit-womans-death-investigation-trnd/index.html | website=CNN | date=April 25, 2017}}

In 2018, a Fitbit device played a role in solving another murder. Anthony Aiello murdered his stepdaughter Karen Navarra while visiting her home and her body was found five days later. Data from her Fitbit fitness tracker showed that her heart rate spiked when Aiello visited her and stopped five minutes before he left. Aiello was arrested in September 2018 on murder charges and was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/03/fitbit-may-have-help-catch-a-killer-again/ | title=Fitbit may have helped catch a killer, again | first=Connie | last=Loizos | work=TechCrunch | date=October 3, 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/fitbit-data-police-charge-90yearold-man-murder-stepdaughter-san-jose-california-a8567961.html | title=Data from a Fitbit leads police to charge 90-year-old in stepdaughter's murder | work=The Independent | date=October 4, 2018}}

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