iRobot’s New Chinese Owner Vows US Data Stays in America
▼ Summary
– iRobot is creating a new US-based subsidiary called iRobot Safe to protect US consumer data following its acquisition by China-based Picea Robotics.
– This move is similar to the TikTok deal and is designed to separate iRobot’s non-US ownership from its US and global consumer data.
– US customers can continue using their robot vacuums normally, but their data will now be handled by iRobot Safe instead of the new owner.
– The subsidiary will have its own US-based leadership, including a board, CEO, and data security officer, while iRobot remains headquartered in Massachusetts.
– This development follows iRobot’s bankruptcy filing in December and its acquisition by Picea, after a previous acquisition attempt by Amazon failed in 2024.
Following its acquisition by China’s Picea Robotics, iRobot is establishing a new U.S.-based entity named iRobot Safe, dedicated to managing and protecting American consumer data. This strategic move, echoing the recent TikTok transaction, aims to reassure customers that their personal information will remain under U.S. jurisdiction and will not be transferred to the foreign parent company. Users can continue operating their robotic vacuums without interruption, with all domestic data handling now routed through this newly formed subsidiary.
According to a company statement released on January 23rd, the formation of iRobot Safe is intended to “maintain a clear separation” between the international ownership and the data belonging to consumers in the United States and other global markets. The subsidiary will operate with its own independent leadership structure, including a U.S.-based board of directors, a chief executive officer, and a dedicated data security officer. While iRobot will remain headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, it is now a fully private company owned by Picea Robotics.
This development arrives shortly after a period of significant turmoil for the robotics firm. iRobot filed for bankruptcy protection in December, concurrently announcing its pending acquisition by Picea. This deal followed the collapse of a previous attempt by Amazon to purchase the company in 2024, leaving iRobot to seek alternative financial stability. The creation of iRobot Safe appears to be a direct response to heightened regulatory and public scrutiny over data security, particularly when sensitive information could fall under the control of a foreign entity.
(Source: The Verge)
