Microsoft may face a fine for Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile, but it will hardly make a dent in the company’s finances.

The Italian competition authority, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), launched an investigation into Activision Blizzard regarding the monetization of Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile. In a statement posted on its website, the organization said that the publisher used misleading and aggressive practices when offering in-app purchases and violated consumers’ contractual rights.

The AGCM stated that the investigation will focus on the possible use of deceptive user interface design aimed at enticing consumers to return to these games more often and play for longer periods of time. Examples include pop-up windows referring to potential in-game and out-of-game rewards, as well as messages, notifications, and calls to purchase limited-time items.

“In the Authority’s view, the company may be acting in breach of consumer protection rules, particularly the duty of professional diligence required in a sector with a high risk of gaming addiction. These practices, together with strategies that make it difficult for users to understand the real value of the virtual currency used in the game and the sale of in-game currency in bundles, may influence players — including minors — to spend significant amounts, sometimes exceeding what is necessary to progress in the game, without being fully aware of the expenditure involved,” the AGCM wrote.

The organization also expressed concern about parental control features in games because they automatically set lower protection levels, which allow in-game purchases, unrestricted playing time, and interactions with other players. The AGCM is investigating how consent for personal data is obtained and whether consumers are adequately informed about their rights in these games.

Source: Gamesindustry, AGCM