MILAN ― Italy’s competition authority (AGCM) has opened an investigation into the Italian business of US elevator maker Otis Worldwide over alleged unfair business practices, the watchdog said on Friday.

Otis is suspected of having installed devices on the elevator that provide services for a fee without the explicit consent of customers, AGCM said in a statement.

The company may also have missed deadlines for new installations and inadequately handled requests for maintenance and renovations, the competition watchdog said.

“We are aware of the investigation and are cooperating with the authority,” Otis said in an emailed statement, adding that he could not comment further as it was an ongoing legal matter.

Officials from the competition authority and members of Italy’s tax police inspected several Otis offices in Italy as part of the investigation, the AGCM said.