Amazon’s Acquisition of iRobot Faces New Challenges From EU Antitrust Regulators

Amazon’s $1.7 billion (practically Rs. 14,100 crore) acquisition of robotic vacuum cleaner maker iRobot might scale back competitors and strengthen Amazon’s place as on-line market supplier, EU antitrust regulators warned on Thursday.

The European Fee opened a full-scale investigation and can determine by November 15 whether or not to clear or block the deal.

“We proceed to work via the method with the European Fee and are targeted on addressing its questions and any recognized issues at this stage,” an Amazon spokesperson advised Reuters.

Antitrust enforcers around the globe have stepped up scrutiny of Large Tech buying smaller rivals, involved in regards to the accumulation of troves of information by a number of corporations, and massive gamers leveraging their dominance into new markets.

The acquisition introduced in August final yr would add iRobot’s Roomba robotic vacuum to Amazon’s portfolio of sensible gadgets, which embody the Alexa voice assistant, sensible thermostats, safety gadgets and wall-mounted sensible shows.

IRobot made its first Roomba robotic vacuum in 2002. Amazon has beforehand stated the vacuum cleaner market may be very aggressive, with numerous Chinese language gamers.

“The Fee is worried that the transaction would enable Amazon to limit competitors out there for robotic vacuum cleaners and to strengthen its place as on-line market supplier, ” the EU government stated.

“The Fee carefully cooperated with different competitors authorities throughout the preliminary investigation and can proceed such cooperation throughout the in-depth investigation (…) the opening of an in-depth inquiry doesn’t prejudge the end result of the investigation”.

The Amazon spokesperson additionally stated the corporate might “provide an organization like iRobot the sources to speed up innovation and put money into essential options whereas reducing costs for shoppers.”

The EU competitors enforcer’s resolution confirmed a Reuters story final month and got here a month after the UK antitrust company cleared the deal unconditionally after a preliminary overview.

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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