Google to Remove Third-party Apps and Clocks from Fitbit Devices in the EU

The EU's recent doubling-down on enforcing its guidelines upon big tech has seen no slowdowns, and it looks like Google has once again proceeded to comply with certain regulations, this time concerning its hardware and software under the Fitbit division. An official support page states that the company has decided to take down third-party apps and clocks in the EU. As per the notice:

Following a careful assessment of the impact of new regulatory requirements, we have made the decision to remove third-party apps and clocks from the Fitbit app gallery for users in the European Economic Area in June 2024. You can continue to download and install third-party apps until that date. Afterwards, you'll have access to a selection of Fitbit and Google apps. Users in other countries will not be impacted.

As such, this decision will affect several Fitbit models including the Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 4, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa, as well as the Fitbit Ionic. Google states that users will still be able to download and install third-party apps until June 2024. Afterwards, all apps and clock faces will be a first-party affair with Fitbit and Google solely at the helm.

Just recently, Google announced that it will roll out a new AI-powered Fitbit chatbot for Fitbit Premium subscribers on Android that are also part of Fitbit Labs, which the company says will help users analyze their health data and provide actionable insights.