Italy Just Declared War On Call of Duty’s Predatory Microtransactions
It looks like the Italian government is finally asking the questions we have been screaming about for years regarding Activision's monetization strategies.
If you have played Diablo Immortal or Call of Duty Mobile, you know exactly how the grind works. You install the game for free, play for an hour, and then the psychological warfare begins. The glowing icons, the limited-time offers, the currencies that don't convert easily to real money. It is a system designed to extract cash. Now, the Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) has officially launched an investigation into Activision Blizzard (and by extension, Microsoft) for what they call "deceptive and aggressive commercial practices."
The Authority Is Not Amused
The press release dropped on January 16, 2026, and it does not pull any punches. The AGCM is specifically looking at Diablo Immortal and CoD Mobile. They argue that these games might be violating consumer protection laws, especially considering how sensitive the gaming sector is to addiction risks.
I find it refreshing to see a government body actually use the correct terminology. They aren't just complaining about prices. They are investigating "manipulative interface design." They are talking about how the games pester you constantly, even when you aren't playing, via push notifications to buy stuff before it disappears.
The "Math" Problem
One of the biggest points in the investigation is something I despise. It is the confusion regarding virtual currency. You buy coins to buy gems to buy a chest. The AGCM notes that this makes it nearly impossible for a player to understand the real-world value of what they are spending. They also called out the "bundle" tactic, where you are forced to buy a set amount of currency that never quite matches the item price, leaving you with leftover change you can't use without spending more.
The AGCM's Laundry List of Complaints
I read through the translated release and broke down exactly what the Italian watchdog is angry about.
Leaving The Kids Unprotected
This is where the lawsuit gets dangerous for Microsoft. The AGCM claims that the default parental controls are "aggressive" because they pre-select options that offer the least protection.
If a parent doesn't actively dig through the menus to change things, the account is allegedly set up to allow in-game purchases and unlimited playtime by default. When you combine that with the accusation that the registration process tricks kids into agreeing to data profiling, it paints a pretty grim picture.
The Ban Hammer Issue
Finally, there is a point here that affects all of us, not just the kids. The investigation is looking into the "unilateral blocking" of accounts.
We have all seen the horror stories. Someone spends $500 on skins, gets banned by an automated system, and has no way to appeal or get their money back. The AGCM suggests this violates contractual rights. If they actually force Activision to provide a real appeals process and adequate reasons for bans, that would be a massive win for consumer rights in the digital age.
This is currently just an investigation, but given the EU's recent crackdown on Big Tech, I wouldn't be surprised if this ends with a hefty fine and some forced UI changes.
Got a hot take on this? I know you do. Head over to r/neonlightsmedia to discuss it.
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