Pitfall 1: Treating Fitbit Health Data Like General Fitness Metrics
The mistake: Operators bundle Fitbit data disclosures into generic "activity data" categories in privacy policies, without explicitly naming heart rate, sleep stages, or SpO2.
Why it happens: Health data feels like optional telemetry in a fitness app context, but GDPR and CCPA treat it as sensitive. Regulators scrutinize specificity of disclosure (GDPR Recital 58).
Consequence: GDPR fine risk (up to €20M or 4% global revenue) for inadequate transparency. CCPA enforcement typically opens with "your privacy policy failed to disclose collection of [specific health metric]."
Pitfall 2: Forgetting the DPA with Google LLC
The mistake: Integrating Fitbit's Web API or SDK without a signed Data Processing Agreement, assuming Fitbit's privacy policy covers the relationship.
Why it happens: Indie teams often treat vendor integration like SaaS onboarding. Fitbit's privacy policy is *not* a DPA; it describes Google's data use, not your controller-processor contract.
Consequence: GDPR Article 28 violation. EU regulators flag missing or incomplete DPAs in ~90% of audit findings. Without a DPA, you have no contractual assurance of data security, sub-processor restrictions, or deletion obligations.
Pitfall 3: Missing the Web API Deprecation Deadline
The mistake: Building on Fitbit Web API without planning the September 2026 shutdown. No migration to Health Connect (Android) or native HealthKit (iOS).
Why it happens: The deprecation notice is easy to miss in vendor communications; teams assume legacy APIs remain stable.
Consequence: Service disruption for users (data sync breaks). Compliance risk: if you're no longer receiving real Fitbit data, you may be processing stale health data without user awareness, violating data minimization (GDPR Article 5(1)(c)).
