Fitbit is shelling out a hefty $12.25 million to settle claims tied to its Ionic smartwatch, which reportedly caused burns for some users. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) flagged the device as a safety risk, leading to a recall in 2022.

The trouble started back in 2018 and dragged on until 2020. Despite a firmware update in early 2020, the overheating issue persisted. Regulators say Fitbit didn’t act quickly enough to address the problem, even though they knew about the risks.

According to reports, 115 people in the U.S. experienced issues with the smartwatch’s battery overheating. Of those, 78 reported burns, including some severe cases—two third-degree and four second-degree burns.

As part of the settlement, Fitbit must now submit yearly safety reports and improve its internal safety checks. The company is also required to follow stricter guidelines under the Consumer Product Safety Act to prevent similar issues in the future.

This isn’t the first time Fitbit has faced scrutiny, but it’s certainly one of the costliest. The Google-owned brand will need to step up its game to rebuild trust with consumers.

What’s your take on this? Would you still trust a Fitbit product after this? Let us know in the comments!