Overview
- Italy’s competition authority opened two investigations into monetization practices in the mobile games Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty: Mobile.
- Officials are examining purchase incentives delivered during and outside gameplay through in-app messages and push notifications.
- The regulator warns that virtual currencies and currency bundles can mask real costs and lead to significant unintended spending by players, including minors.
- Default parental controls and disclosures about consumer rights are under review over concerns they may cause users to unknowingly forfeit protections such as the EU’s 14-day withdrawal right.
- Authorities also highlight limited avenues to contest account bans that can erase access to paid digital content, and Microsoft had not commented at the time of reporting.