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