Google-Owned Fitbit Fined $12 Million by CPSC Over Smartwatch Burn Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has ordered Google-owned Fitbit to pay over $12 million to settle allegations that the company knowingly failed to report a severe burn hazard associated with its Ionic smartwatches.

In addition to the financial penalty, Fitbit must also comply with specific measures aimed at strengthening its compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).

According to a CPSC press release issued on Thursday, reports of overheating batteries in Fitbit’s Ionic smartwatches first emerged in 2018. However, the company failed to notify the agency about the defect, as mandated by the CPSA.

Fitbit is now required to “maintain internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance” with the CPSA, as stated by the CPSC. This includes enhancing its compliance program and submitting an annual report that details the program's effectiveness, internal controls, and an internal audit of its compliance policies, procedures, systems, and training.

Additionally, Fitbit is tasked with conducting an internal audit to identify “opportunities for improvement, deficiencies or weaknesses, and the firm’s overall culture of compliance,” the agency noted. This audit will take place over a one-year period.

Under the terms of the CPSC order, Fitbit must also retain all records related to CPSA compliance for a minimum of five years. Furthermore, the company is required to establish “a mechanism for confidential employee reporting of compliance-related questions or concerns to either a compliance officer or to another senior manager with authority to act as necessary.”

In a statement emailed on Friday, a Fitbit spokesperson addressed the resolution of the matter: “Customer safety continues to be our top priority, and we’re pleased to resolve this matter with the CPSC stemming from the 2022 voluntary recall of Fitbit Ionic.”

The CPSC and Fitbit had previously announced a recall of the Ionic smartwatches in 2022.

This action followed over 100 reports of overheating incidents in the United States and nearly 80 documented cases of burn injuries. These injuries included two third-degree burns and four second-degree burns.

Fitbit released the Ionic in 2017 as its first smartwatch. In an attempt to address the overheating issue, the company rolled out a firmware update in 2020, though the defect reportedly persisted.

Google acquired Fitbit in 2021. While the company continues to produce smartwatches under the Fitbit brand, the newest models focus primarily on activity and sleep tracking rather than offering the full functionality of the Google Pixel Watch.

Fitbit agreed to settle the matter without admitting or denying liability or the findings of the CPSC. 

By fLEXI tEAM