Fitbit has settled with the U.S. Shopper Product Security Fee (CPSC) over a long-standing defect that triggered some wearers to maintain burns. The deal finds the Google-owned health firm paying a $12.25 million penalty for the problems surrounding its Ionic smartwatch.
The problem dates again to 2018, persevering with on into 2020. Fitbit agreed to recall the wearable in March 2022, because the CPSC famous that it “created an unreasonable danger of significant damage or demise to customers.”
A firmware replace issued in early 2020 failed to deal with the difficulty completely, in line with the CPSC.
“Regardless of possessing data that moderately supported the conclusion that the smartwatches contained a defect that would create a considerable product hazard or created an unreasonable danger of significant damage, Fitbit didn’t instantly report back to the Fee as required,” the group notes.
In all, 115 U.S. customers reported a difficulty with the smartwatch’s overheating battery. Seventy-eight individuals reported burns, two of which had been third-degree and 4 second-degree burns.
The settlement additionally requires Fitbit to submit an annual report back to the fee, with an inner audit of security operations. Fitbit can also be required to “preserve inner controls and procedures designed to make sure compliance with the Shopper Product Security Act (CPSA), together with enhancements made to its compliance program,” per the settlement.