Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot Corp, maker of the autonomous vacuum cleaner the Roomba, is set to be investigated by the European Union, according to a report by the Financial Times on Wednesday.
Per the report, European regulators have contacted the eCommerce giant with a series of questions over the proposed transaction which was announced in August 2022.
Specifically, the EU is said to be focused on how the Roomba operates, including its ability to take pictures as it moves around a home.
READ: iRobot to lose 7% of humans as Amazon awaits greenlight for takeover
An official antitrust investigation is reportedly still weeks away. The EU’s reported investigation follows scrutiny of the proposed acquisition by the Federal Trade Commission.
“We're working cooperatively with the relevant regulators in their review of the merger,” an Amazon spokesperson told Proactive.
iRobot’s shares had edged 1.5% higher at US$41.95 following reports of the probe, with Amazon adding 1.3% at US$100.95.
Contact the author at emily.jarvie@proactiveinvestors.com
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