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| Amazon takeover of iRobot faces UK watchdog review | Amazon takeover of iRobot faces UK watchdog review |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Amazon's planned takeover of Roomba vacuum cleaner maker iRobot is being reviewed by the UK's competition watchdog. | Amazon's planned takeover of Roomba vacuum cleaner maker iRobot is being reviewed by the UK's competition watchdog. |
| The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking at whether the deal could lead to "a substantial lessening of competition". | The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking at whether the deal could lead to "a substantial lessening of competition". |
| Amazon is seeking to grow its operations for smart home appliances. | Amazon is seeking to grow its operations for smart home appliances. |
| Both Amazon and iRobot have both said they are "working co-operatively" with regulators. | Both Amazon and iRobot have both said they are "working co-operatively" with regulators. |
| Amazon announced it was buying iRobot last year in a $1.7bn (£1.4bn) takeover deal. | Amazon announced it was buying iRobot last year in a $1.7bn (£1.4bn) takeover deal. |
| Roomba models sell in the UK from £249, with some costing up to £899. | Roomba models sell in the UK from £249, with some costing up to £899. |
| A month after Amazon agreed the deal with iRobot, US authorities said they would review the takeover. | A month after Amazon agreed the deal with iRobot, US authorities said they would review the takeover. |
| In February, the Financial Times reported that European competition authorities were also set to launch a probe into the deal. | In February, the Financial Times reported that European competition authorities were also set to launch a probe into the deal. |
| Both Amazon and Massachusetts-based iRobot said they were "working co-operatively" with the relevant regulators over the merger. | Both Amazon and Massachusetts-based iRobot said they were "working co-operatively" with the relevant regulators over the merger. |
| The Roomba vacuum cleaner has had a colourful past. In 2021, owners said devices appeared to be "drunk" following a software update. | The Roomba vacuum cleaner has had a colourful past. In 2021, owners said devices appeared to be "drunk" following a software update. |
| Machines were said to be "spinning around", constantly recharging or not charging at all, and moving in strange directions. | Machines were said to be "spinning around", constantly recharging or not charging at all, and moving in strange directions. |
| 'Drunk' robot vacuums spark complaints from owners | 'Drunk' robot vacuums spark complaints from owners |
| Robot vacuum cleaner trained to dodge pet faeces | Robot vacuum cleaner trained to dodge pet faeces |
| The CMA currently has two other ongoing investigations into Amazon. | The CMA currently has two other ongoing investigations into Amazon. |
| One is into the use of fake online reviews, which was launched in May 2020, and includes Google as well as Amazon. | One is into the use of fake online reviews, which was launched in May 2020, and includes Google as well as Amazon. |
| The competition watchdog said at the time it launched its investigation it had concerns that both firms had "not been doing enough to tackle fake reviews on their sites". | The competition watchdog said at the time it launched its investigation it had concerns that both firms had "not been doing enough to tackle fake reviews on their sites". |
| It is currently gathering information to determine whether they may have breached consumer law by taking insufficient action to protect shoppers from such reviews. | It is currently gathering information to determine whether they may have breached consumer law by taking insufficient action to protect shoppers from such reviews. |
| The other investigation, launched in July 2022, concerns suspected anti-competitive practices at Amazon and follows a European Commission probe. | The other investigation, launched in July 2022, concerns suspected anti-competitive practices at Amazon and follows a European Commission probe. |
| The CMA is investigating how the tech giant sells goods from third-party sellers on its website and whether it is abusing its position to benefit its own products. | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Companies | Companies |
| Amazon | Amazon |
| Competition and Markets Authority | Competition and Markets Authority |