Lawsuit accuses Fitbit of putting users in danger with 'wildly inaccurate' heart-rate readings
Fitbit devices track the wearer's heart rate, as well as calories burned, steps, and sleep.
But some users say Fitbit devices "do not and cannot consistently and accurately record wearers' heart rates during the intense physical activity for which Fitbit expressly markets them."
Fitbit says it does "not believe the case has merit" and it stands by its technology. But the company did add that its products were not intended to be scientific or medical devices.
Fitbit users Kate McLellan, Teresa Black, and David Urban filed their lawsuit against the company in a San Francisco court on Tuesday this week. It can be read in full here.
The claimants argue that the pulse trackers in Fitbit's devices "do not work, and their heart rate readings are wildly inaccurate."
Black, a Fitbit user from Colorado, said her Fitbit device once recorded her heart rate at 82 beats per minute, while her personal trainer manually recorded it at 160 bpm.
"Plaintiff Black was approaching the 25 maximum recommended heart rate for her age, and if she had continued to rely on her inaccurate 26 PurePulse Tracker, she may well have exceeded it, thereby jeopardizing her health and safety," the filing reads.
The margins of error are significant enough to make the trackers "worthless," the claimants argue.
"The defect ... presents a safety hazard because Class members' could jeopardize their health by relying on the inaccurate heart rate readings and potentially achieving dangerous heart rates," the filing says.
In the lawsuit, Fitbit is also accused of defrauding the public and cheating its customers.
The company denies the allegations and intends to "vigorously defend the lawsuit."
In a statement published by ITV News, Fitbit said: