Google's proposed acquisition of Fitbit can proceed, with conditions, the European Commission said. There was an investigation of the transaction and the companies' complementary activities, it said Thursday. Fitbit has limited market share in the smartwatch segment in Europe, where there are many larger rivals, such as Apple, Garmin and Samsung, so the acquisition will lead to "very limited horizontal overlaps," the EC said. The probe focused on data collected by Fitbit wearable devices and the interoperability of those devices with Google's Android operating system for smartphones. The EC was concerned Google would acquire Fitbit's database on users' health and fitness, plus the technology to develop a similar database, making it hard for rivals to match Google's services in online search advertising. Other worries were that Google might restrict competitors' access to Fitbit's web application programming interface, to the detriment of European startups in the emerging digital healthcare space, and that Google could put competing makers of wearable wrist devices at a disadvantage by degrading their operability with Android smartphones. Google has offered commitments on advertising, web API access and Android APIs to run for 10 years and be monitored by a trustee to be appointed before the transaction closes, the EC said. "This deal will spur innovation in wearable devices and enable us to build products that help people lead healthier lives," emailed a Google spokesperson. "We understand that regulators wanted to look closely at this transaction, and we have worked constructively with them to resolve their concerns, including the set of legally binding commitments the" EC accepted. The spokesperson cited his company's past "assurances" about the takeover and privacy and working with other stakeholders.

Hyundai will pay SoftBank $1.1 billion for an 80% interest in mobile robotics firm Boston Dynamics, said the companies Friday. SoftBank will keep a 20% interest through one of its subsidiaries, they said. Hyundai said the acquisition will be “another major step” toward its “strategic transformation” into a smart mobility solution provider. Hyundai “has invested substantially in development of future technologies,” including autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity, it said. The transaction is expected to close by June, said Hyundai and SoftBank.

AT&T agreed to sell its Crunchyroll anime business to Funimation, a joint venture between Sony Pictures and Sony Music’s Aniplex subsidiary, for $1.2 billion, said the companies Wednesday night. The Crunchyroll direct-to-consumer service has more than 3 million subscribers and 90 million registered users, offering advertising-based VOD, mobile games, manga, events merchandise and distribution.

Investcorp will sell German consumer cybersecurity company Avira to NortonLifeLock for about $360 million in a transaction expected to close in Q1, said the institutional investment firm Monday (see also personals section, this issue). Buying Avira will speed NortonLifeLock’s expansion in Europe and emerging markets and gives it access to more than 30 million "active" devices, it said.

Uber closed on its all-stock transaction to buy on-demand delivery platform Postmates, said the ride-hailing company Tuesday. “The two companies have begun the process of integrating U.S. operations,” it said. “As we bring together Uber Eats and Postmates, we're kicking off a regional listening exercise (first virtually and later with in-person sessions when safe to do so) across North America” to better understand merchants’ needs, blogged Stephane Ficaja, head-Uber Eats, U.S. and Canada. “We’ll be partnering with restaurant associations and chambers of commerce to make sure the right folks are in the room, and that our answers are accountable to you.” The goal is to give “restaurants -- and increasingly other types of merchants -- a bigger seat at the table to provide feedback on products in development, policy decisions, and more,” said Ficaja.

Intelsat's $400 million buy of Gogo's commercial aviation connectivity business (see 2009010001 and this issue's personals section) is complete, Gogo said Tuesday. Gogo said its focus now will be on business aviation connectivity. It said proceeds from the deal will go toward debt and growth opportunities, including its 5G offering to launch in 2021.

The lack of an eligible telecom carrier compliance plan means review of Verizon's buy of Tracfone (see 2009140010) shouldn't get streamlined treatment, Public Knowledge representatives told FCC International Bureau staffers, according to a posting Tuesday. PK said the active FCC investigation against Tracfone for Lifeline violations also backs the argument that Verizon's ETC eligibility should be tied to the transaction. It said streamlined treatment also seems inappropriate, given calls for "pencils down" by members of Congress (see 2011100061). Verizon didn't comment Wednesday. T-Mobile opposes expedited review (see 2010140037).

Intuit must divest Credit Karma’s tax business to buy that company for $7.1 billion, DOJ said Wednesday. The divestiture will “preserve competition for digital do-it-yourself” tax preparation products, DOJ said. Intuit, creator of TurboTax, would need to divest the tax business to Square, the department said: “Today’s divestiture to Square, another highly successful and disruptive fintech company, ensures that taxpayers will continue to both benefit from this competition and benefit from new innovative financial service offerings from both Intuit and Square.” Intuit is “very excited to reach this important milestone,” said CEO Sasan Goodarzi.

ViacomCBS will sell its Simon & Schuster publishing business to Bertelsmann, the parent of Penguin Random House, for $2.18 billion, it said Wednesday. It said proceeds will go into strategic growth priorities like video streaming, and paying down corporate debt. The deal, expected to close next year, got criticism. Robert Thomson, CEO of rival News Corp, which bid for Simon & Schuster, said Bertelsmann "is not just buying a book publisher, but buying market dominance as a book behemoth." Open Markets Institute said DOJ should challenge the deal "to make clear that no further consolidation of power will be allowed in America’s book publishing industry, which is already too concentrated." It urged DOJ "immediately take steps to break Amazon’s power over the sale and distribution of books in America, which is the ultimate source of the pressures on America’s authors, editors, and publishers."

BuzzFeed is buying HuffPost, making Verizon a minority partner in BuzzFeed, Verizon Media announced Thursday. Through the content and ad partnership, Verizon and BuzzFeed will syndicate content across platforms, Verizon said. “Our media network will have more users, spending significantly more time with our content than any of our peers,” said BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti.