Amazon is reportedly on track to receive unconditional approval from EU antitrust authorities for its $1.4 billion acquisition of iRobot, the robot vacuum manufacturer, according to three sources familiar with the matter on Thursday.
In recent times, global antitrust regulators have heightened their scrutiny of major technology firms engaging in acquisitions of smaller entities. Their concerns revolve around the consolidation of data by a select few and the potential for market-dominant players to extend their reach into new sectors.
Back in July, the European Commission, serving as the EU's competition watchdog, issued a warning to Amazon regarding the possible anticompetitive effects of the deal on the robot vacuum cleaner market.