Fitbit Fined $12 Million for Faulty Ionic Smartwatch That Burned Dozens
Fitbit Ionic recall leads to $12.25M fine following reports of battery overheating and burn injuries.
Matilda
Fitbit Fined $12 Million for Faulty Ionic Smartwatch That Burned Dozens
Fitbit, a once-dominant name in the fitness tracker market and now a Google subsidiary, has been hit with a $12.25 million fine due to serious safety issues with its Ionic smartwatch. The fine stems from widespread reports of the device's battery overheating, leading to burn injuries for dozens of users. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of faulty technology and the importance of robust safety measures in consumer electronics. The Ionic's Fiery Flaw: A Timeline of Trouble The Fitbit Ionic, launched in 2017, was intended to be a flagship smartwatch, expanding the company's offerings beyond simple fitness tracking. However, the device was plagued by a critical flaw: its lithium-ion battery was prone to overheating, posing a significant burn risk to wearers. While initial reviews of the Ionic were mixed, the overheating issue didn't immediately surface as a widespread problem. It took several years for reports of burns to accumulate, eventuall…
