A California resident filed a class-action lawsuit against Fitbit, arguing that the sleep-tracking feature of the company's wearable device is not accurate and that the firm is engaging in false advertising, MobiHealthNews reports.

The suit was filed only days after Fitbit announced plans for an initial public offering, according to MobiHealthNews.

Lawsuit Details

The case, filed by James Brickman, cites a 2012 24-participant study published in the journal Sleep Breathing, which found that a Fitbit device over-reported sleep compared with actigraphy and polysomnography. The study examined a different Fitbit device than the type purchased by Brickman -- a Fitbit Flex, which was launched in 2013.

The suit estimates that consumers pay $30 for sleep tracking technology based on the difference between the price of the Fitbit Flex and the price of the Fitbit Zip, which does not track sleep.

According to the suit, the case involves upward of 100 class members, representing "more than $5 million in controversy."

Reaction

Fitbit said the company does "not believe this case has merit." It added, "Fitbit strongly disagrees with the statements about the product and the company contained in the Brickman complaint and plans to vigorously defend the lawsuit." It added, "Fitbit trackers are not intended to be scientific or medical devices, but are designed to provide meaningful data to our users to help them reach their health and fitness goals" (Comstock, MobiHealthNews, 5/13).