Vorwerk Under Investigation in Italy for Disabling Neato Smart Robots
Italy Investigates Vorwerk Over Disabled Neato Smart Robots
The Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) has launched an investigation into Vorwerk Management and Vorwerk Italia for alleged unfair commercial practices. The probe follows a surge of consumer complaints received between November 2025 and April 2026 regarding the sudden discontinuation of smart services for Neato robotic vacuums.
According to the regulator, the companies reportedly shut down the essential software and cloud services that these robots require to function. This move effectively turned working appliances into “bricks,” rendering them useless despite the hardware being in perfect condition. The Authority suggests that disabling software for a functional product radically changes its nature and value, preventing consumers from using what they paid for.
The AGCM believes this conduct may violate several articles of the Consumer Code, classifying it as both a deceptive and aggressive business practice. By cutting off digital support, the companies may have unfairly pressured consumers or withheld vital information regarding the product’s lifespan.
To gather evidence, Italian officials and the Special Antitrust Unit of the Finance Police carried out on-site inspections at Vorwerk’s offices yesterday. The investigation will determine if the company failed its obligations to customers who expected their smart devices to remain operational.