AGCM Investigates Vorwerk for Shutting Down Neato Robot Cloud Services
Summary
The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has launched a formal investigation into Vorwerk Management s.r.l. and Vorwerk Italia s.a.s. following multiple consumer complaints received between November 2025 and April 2026 regarding the shutdown of Neato robot cloud services. Inspections were carried out on 22 April 2026 at the premises of both companies, assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza). The Authority alleges that shutting down the software systems of devices still in full working order radically changes the nature, features, and value of the product, potentially constituting a misleading and aggressive practice under articles 20, 21, 22, and 24 of the Consumer Code.
“The companies appear to have shut down the Neato robot cloud services, causing the device to lose its essential functions and thus hindering consumers' ability to use it.”
Manufacturers of connected IoT devices that rely on cloud services to deliver core functionality should review their end-of-service policies and customer communication practices. AGCM's preliminary position—that terminating cloud access for a functional device 'radically changes the nature, features and value' of that product—could set a significant precedent for product obsolescence enforcement in Italy. Companies with similar service discontinuation practices should assess whether adequate notice, alternatives, or remedies are being offered to affected consumers.
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The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has formally opened an investigation into Vorwerk Management s.r.l. and Vorwerk Italia s.a.s. for allegedly engaging in unfair commercial practices by discontinuing Neato robot cloud services, effectively making functional devices inoperable. The conduct may constitute a misleading and aggressive practice under articles 20, 21, 22, and 24 of the Italian Consumer Code.\n\nManufacturers and retailers of connected IoT devices should monitor this investigation closely, as the outcome could establish important precedent regarding product obsolescence and consumer rights in Italy. Companies operating cloud-dependent products should review their end-of-service policies and consumer communication practices to ensure they do not engage in conduct that could be characterised as misleading or aggressive under the Consumer Code.
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Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
PS13069 - Italian Competition Authority launches investigation into Vorwerk Management and Vorwerk Italia for unfair commercial practice
PRESS RELEASE
The companies appear to have shut down the Neato robot cloud services, making the device unusable
Prompted by several consumer complaints received between November 2025 and April 2026, the Italian Competition Authority has launched an investigation into Vorwerk Management s.r.l. and Vorwerk Italia s.a.s. for engaging in an unfair commercial practice. The companies appear to have shut down the Neato robot cloud services, causing the device to lose its essential functions and thus hindering consumers’ ability to use it.
According to the Authority, this conduct may amount to a misleading and aggressive practice, pursuant to articles 20, 21, 22 and 24 of the Consumer Code. This is because shutting down the software systems of a device that is otherwise still in full working order, radically changes the nature, features and value of the product, hindering consumers’ ability to use it.
Inspections at the premises of Vorwerk Management s.r.l. and Vorwerk Italia s.a.s. were carried out yesterday by the Authority’s officials, assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza).
Rome, 23 April 2026
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