Fitbit has settled with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) over a long-standing defect that caused some wearers to sustain burns. The deal finds the Google-owned fitness company paying a $12.25 million penalty for the issues surrounding its Ionic smartwatch.
The issue dates back to 2018, continuing on into 2020. Fitbit agreed to recall the wearable in March 2022, as the CPSC noted that it “created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death to consumers.”
A firmware update issued in early 2020 failed to address the issue entirely, according to the CPSC.
“Despite possessing information that reasonably supported the conclusion that the smartwatches contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury, Fitbit did not immediately report to the Commission as required,” the organization notes.
In all, 115 U.S. consumers reported an issue with the smartwatch’s overheating battery. Seventy-eight people reported burns, two of which were third-degree and four second-degree burns.
The agreement also requires Fitbit to submit an annual report to the commission, with an internal audit of safety operations. Fitbit is also required to “maintain internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), including enhancements made to its compliance program,” per the agreement.