Unapproved smartwatches claiming to measure blood glucose without needles are still being sold on Amazon, eBay and MediaMarkt.de, with experts warning that false readings could lead people with diabetes to take dangerous treatment decisions.
Smartwatches that claim to measure blood sugar without a needle are still being sold on major online marketplaces, even though regulators and consumer groups say the technology does not work and can put people with diabetes at risk. A report by netzpolitik.org found dozens of such listings on eBay, MediaMarkt.de and Amazon.de, despite long-running warnings from European and US authorities that no wrist-worn device has been authorised to provide accurate glucose readings.
The concern is not merely that these products overpromise. Medical experts and regulators have repeatedly warned that false readings can mislead people into taking the wrong amount of insulin or missing a dangerous spike or drop in blood sugar. The US Food and Drug Administration has said no smartwatch or smart ring has been approved to measure blood glucose, while France’s consumer and medicines watchdogs issued a similar alert last year about non-invasive devices making deceptive claims.
In Germany, the problem appears to have been widespread enough to trigger enforcement pressure. A February 2026 check cited by Gizmochina said the Federal Network Agency found 58% of inspected smartwatches claiming to measure blood sugar failed regulatory checks, with many simply simulating values through unrelated sensors. That assessment echoes earlier research reported by Diabetologie Online and test purchases by the German consumer group vzbv, both of which found devices displaying invented or repeated readings rather than genuine measurements.
What makes the latest findings more troubling is how slowly some platforms acted once they were alerted. According to netzpolitik.org, MediaMarkt.de removed the flagged products only after a press enquiry, while eBay took down some listings after a similar approach but left other questionable offers online. Amazon responded to one report by saying the item would not be removed immediately and that it would continue to monitor the listing. Netpolitik.org also said MediaMarkt’s own product-reporting function was broken for days during its testing period, making ordinary user complaints difficult or impossible.
The broader regulatory backdrop is the Digital Services Act, which requires online marketplaces to provide a clear and usable system for reporting illegal goods and to deal with notices promptly and objectively. Consumer groups argue that is still not enough. Stefanie Grunert of the vzbv said the European product safety system assumes manufacturers control what they sell, but that assumption fails when identical prohibited goods keep reappearing under slightly different listings. The organisation wants tougher pre-sale checks, better traceability and faster takedowns when the same unlawful product is relisted.
German officials, however, say the issue goes beyond platform rules alone. According to the federal digital ministry, enforcement must involve consumer protection, product safety and market surveillance, with much of the practical oversight resting with the states and municipalities. That division of responsibility may help explain why false blood sugar watches can remain visible online for so long, even after repeated warnings from regulators, researchers and consumer advocates.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
