Italian Antitrust Investigates Vorwerk for Disabling Neato Robot Vacuum Services
Italian antitrust regulators opened an investigation into Vorwerk following consumer complaints that the company disabled essential smart services on Neato robot vacuums, rendering functioning devices unusable. The authority is examining whether this constitutes deceptive and aggressive commercial practices under consumer protection law.
What happened
The Italian Antitrust Authority opened an investigation into Vorwerk Management s.r.l. and Vorwerk Italia s.a.s. following consumer complaints received between November 2025 and April 2026 alleging unfair commercial practices.
The companies allegedly disabled smart services of the Neato robot vacuum, removing essential functionalities and rendering the devices unusable despite remaining mechanically functional.
Reported impact
The interruption of software systems in functioning devices fundamentally altered the nature, characteristics and value of the product, obstructing consumer use and enjoyment.
Index analysis
The Antitrust Authority characterised the conduct as potentially deceptive and aggressive commercial practice under articles 20, 21, 22 and 24 of the Consumer Code, as disabling software in a functioning device radically modifies the product's nature and value.
Governance controls
Authority staff conducted inspections at the facilities of Vorwerk Management s.r.l. and Vorwerk Italia s.a.s., assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Financial Police.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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