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Italy’s Competition Authority (AGCM) is leading a coordinated consumer-protection investigation with authorities in Norway and Denmark into Activision Blizzard UK Limited and other Microsoft group companies. Announced on 8 October 2026, the action examines how in-game virtual currencies, game interfaces, parental controls and account support may affect consumers. It is an investigation—not a finding that any company broke the law.
What Italy is investigating
The AGCM is examining whether the way some games sell and use virtual currency makes it harder for players to understand and track their spending. Purchases such as cosmetic upgrades and weapon-upgrade packs may be priced in game currencies rather than euros. Players may have to convert money through one or more currencies, and currency may be sold in preset bundles.
The authority says it is also examining potentially manipulative interface design, parental controls and help available when accounts are blocked. Its concerns focus in particular on whether these practices could make spending difficult to understand or control for vulnerable consumers, including minors and people at risk of gaming addiction. These are questions under investigation, not established findings about every game or player. AGCM announcement, 8 October 2026.
Why virtual currency matters to consumers
When a game displays a price in virtual currency, a player may need to work out how much real money that amount represents. Preset bundles can add another step: the amount of currency sold may not match the exact cost of an item. The AGCM is examining whether such purchase flows, together with interface design, make it difficult for consumers to see and keep track of what they spend. The announcement does not establish how any specific player’s spending is affected.
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Which companies, authorities and games are involved?
Italy is the lead authority, with Norway and Denmark cooperating. The AGCM names Activision Blizzard UK Limited and refers to other Microsoft group companies without identifying them in its announcement. Reuters likewise reported that the additional group companies were not named; the announcement does not support speculation about which entities they are. Reuters report republished by Investing.com.
The AGCM places the coordinated action in the context of national investigations it opened in December 2025 concerning Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty. Separately, the European Commission describes an early-2026 CPC Network action involving Microsoft Corporation and Activision Blizzard focused on Call of Duty Mobile and Diablo Immortal. The announcements describe related actions, but they are distinct in timing and scope. European Commission: Social media, online games and search engines.
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- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
What “widespread infringement” means
The AGCM invokes Article 3(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2394. In its announcement, a “widespread infringement” means conduct contrary to EU consumer-protection rules that is likely to harm consumers in at least three EU Member States. The threshold describes the possible reach of conduct being examined; it does not mean the authority has already established a violation.
Norway and Denmark are cooperating with Italy in this action. Their participation does not change the AGCM’s stated legal threshold, which refers to consumers residing in at least three EU Member States.
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- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
How the actions fit together
- December 2025: The AGCM says it opened national investigations concerning certain Microsoft group companies and Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty.
- Early 2026: The European Commission says the CPC Network launched a coordinated action involving Microsoft Corporation and Activision Blizzard, focused on Call of Duty Mobile and Diablo Immortal. The Commission says dialogue with the companies is ongoing.
- 30 September 2026: The AGCM says the Commission announced new coordinated actions in the CPC Network involving video-game companies.
- 8 October 2026: The AGCM announced that Italy would lead the coordinated action with Norway and Denmark concerning Activision Blizzard UK Limited and other Microsoft group companies.
The Commission’s account of ongoing dialogue concerns the earlier CPC action. It should not be taken as an update on the status or outcome of the newly announced Italian-led action.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is not yet established
The 8 October announcement gives no completion date and does not name all Microsoft group companies in scope. It reports no final conclusion, sanction or remedy, and the material available does not establish a company response to this specific action. The central question remains whether the conduct examined could breach consumer-protection rules at the scale described by the AGCM.
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