Consumer Protection Groups Complain to EU Authorities About Publisher Methods

The BEUC and 22 of its member organisations, including the vzbv from Germany and the FRC from Switzerland, have lodged a formal complaint with the EU against Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Mojang Studios, Roblox Corporation, Supercell and Ubisoft. The complaint concerns ‘unfair practices’ in monetisation.

This could be expensive: Consumer protection organisations from Europe have submitted a formal complaint to the EU Commission and the European Network of Consumer Authorities (CPC Network) against seven games publishers. According to the BEUC, the complaint is directed against Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Mojang Studios, Roblox Corporation, Supercell and Ubisoft. It concerns the monetarisation of games such as Fortnite, EA Sports FC, Minecraft and Clash of Clans. The consumer protectionists accuse the publishers of unfair practices.

According to BEUC analyses have shown that that traders breach EU consumer protection laws. The consumer protection organisations are calling on the authorities to ensure that traders adhere to the rules and offer consumers a safe gaming environment.

The use of in-game currencies is specifically criticised. This would conceal real costs. The consumer advocates demand that in-game purchases be made in real currency like the Euro or at least the equivalent. The companies are also accused of falsely claiming that players prefer to make purchases in in-game currency. This is not the case. Consumers are also being deprived of their rights if they use in-game currency.

Last but not least, the complaint focuses on the protection of minors. Children are particularly susceptible to these manipulative tactics. Data would show that children in Europe spend an average of 39 euros per month on in-game purchases

"Gamers shouldn’t need to rely on a calculator anytime they want to make an informed decision on how much they want to spend. The money they spend should be displayed in real money and deceptive practices must be stopped", says Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC. "Today, premium in-game currencies are purposefully tricking consumers and take a big toll on children. Companies are well aware of children’s vulnerability and use tricks to lure younger consumers into spending more."

BEUC is the umbrella group for 44 independent consumer organisations from 31 countries. Twenty-two BEUC member organisations have now joined the complaint, including the vzbv from Germany and the FRC from Switzerland, as well as organisations from France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia and Portugal.

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