Moreover, authorities are also focusing on the potential implications for voice control technologies. The European Commission is worried that Amazon might prevent iRobot’s rivals from accessing future Alexa APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and restrict them from obtaining the “Works with Alexa” certification. This certification is highly desirable for robot vacuums, as voice control with Amazon’s virtual assistant is a significant selling point. Limiting competitors’ access to these features could further stifle competition in the market.
Another concern raised by the commission is the potential access that Amazon could gain to iRobot users’ data. The European Commission believes that this data could provide Amazon with a significant advantage, allowing the e-commerce giant to personalize and target advertisements more effectively. This raises concerns about privacy and the potential for Amazon to exploit the data to gain a competitive edge in the market.
