Minecraft maker faces EU scrutiny over virtual currency

Minecraft’s maker Mojang is among nine companies facing coordinated European consumer-law action over the use of virtual currency in games. Authorities suspect breaches of consumer-protection rules; the action is not a finding that Mojang broke the law.

Sweden’s Consumer Agency announced the action on 30 September. It says discussions with the industry have not produced the desired improvements, particularly in protecting children who play games.

The games named in the coordinated action include Minecraft, Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans and Valorant. Other companies under scrutiny include King, Supercell, Riot Games and Ubisoft.

The new cases bring the number of coordinated actions against gaming companies to eleven. Earlier actions involving Call of Duty Mobile and Diablo Immortal also raised concerns about addictive design and direct purchase appeals to children.

Those additional concerns belong to the earlier cases. The new action described by the Swedish agency concerns unfair commercial practices involving virtual currencies.

DailySweden

DailySweden's desk of editors, reporters, researchers and investigative journalists. We bring readers factual, truthful and objective reporting on the issues that matter to them.

Contact the editorial desk ›