European regulators said Monday that Amazon’s proposed acquisition of robot vacuum maker iRobot may harm competition. The European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm and top antitrust enforcer, said it has informed Amazon of its “preliminary view” regarding the deal following an investigation that began in July. The news raised investors' concerns about the acquisition, sending shares in Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot Corp., most famous for the circular-shaped Roomba vacuum, down more than 17% Monday. “IRobot, which faces intense competition from other vacuum cleaner suppliers, offers practical and inventive products,” Miller said. But British antitrust regulators cleared Amazon’s purchase of iRobot back in June.

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Persons: Alexandra Miller, “, ” Miller, iRobot Organizations: European Commission, iRobot Corp, Amazon, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Bedford , Massachusetts, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Seattle, U.S