Italy Launches Microsoft Activision Blizzard Investigation Over 'Aggressive' Mobile Sales

Is 'free-to-play' actually a financial trap? Italy's competition regulator isn't taking any chances. Microsoft'sActivision Blizzard is now under fire as the country examines whether its biggest mobile titles use predatory tactics to squeeze money from players.

Inside the Microsoft Activision Blizzard Investigation in Italy

The Autorita Garante della Concorrenza E Del Mercato (AGCM), Italy’s competition authority, announced two separate probes into the tech giant. The focus lies on Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile, alleging that these games use misleading and aggressive sales practices. According to the regulator, these design elements induce users—particularly children—to play for extended periods and spend money out of a fear of missing out (FOMO).

The investigation also scrutinizes the games' default settings. Reportedly, the AGCM found that parental controls often let minors make purchases or chat with strangers by default. Furthermore, privacy concerns were raised regarding a consent process that seemingly forces users to agree to all data harvesting options during signup. The regulator stated the company might be breaching consumer protection rules by failing to exercise professional diligence in a sector sensitive to gaming addiction.