iRobot’s Roombas have a new Chinese owner, but says your data will remain in the US

As part of the acquisition by China-based Picea Robotics, iRobot is creating a new US-based subsidiary called iRobot Safe, which The company says He will be “responsible for protecting American consumer data,” such as TikTok deal Which was completed last month. iRobot customers in the US will be able to continue using their robots as usual, but now their data will be handled by iRobot Safe, rather than the company’s new owner.

In a press release Published on January 23, iRobot said the creation of iRobot Safe is “designed to maintain a clear separation between iRobot’s non-U.S. ownership and U.S. consumer data and other global consumer data.” The new subsidiary will have its own board of directors, CEO and data security officer in the US. iRobot will also remain based out of its current headquarters in Bedford, Massachusetts, but is now wholly privately owned by Picea.