Fitbit device set-up will start to require a Google account from 2023

Fitbit has just become "Fitbit by Google" as of late, reflecting the fact that the well-known wearables company is now owned by the Mountain View giant, and may or may not have thus informed the development of the upcoming Pixel Watch.

Now, the popular fitness hardware brand has updated its online support material with explanations as to what the new definition might mean for its users and their devices going forward. That includes new "plans" to introduce the concept of setting up a new fitness tracker or smartwatch through a user's Google Account rather than their Fitbit account.

This, however, apparently does not mean that users will see their existing data transferred to Google, or lose their existing Fitbit profiles - as yet. Then again, the OEM has revealed that it will only keep supporting those for a limited time, and might require all users to switch to a Google account as soon as "early 2025".

Then again, Fitbit also asserts that its current wealth of user health and fitness data "won’t be used for Google Ads" (although any other commercial uses to which it could be put remain unaddressed).

However, the Mountain View giant is also now depicted as obliged to uphold Fitbit user privacy, and to use it only if the wearable owner wants to use it with Google Assistant.

Nevertheless, it remains clear that the same consumers will lose access to separate accounts for devices of their favorite fitness-tracker brand within the next 3 or so years.

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