Consumer Protection Cooperation Network launches coordinated actions against nine companies on in-game currency
The EU’s Consumer Protection Cooperation Network launched coordinated enforcement actions on September 30, 2026, against nine games companies over in-game currency practices, citing concerns about transparency and consumer rights.
On September 30, 2026, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network initiated coordinated enforcement actions against nine video game companies, including King, Supercell, Mojang, Riot Games, and Activision Blizzard UK. The targeted companies span titles such as Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Minecraft, and Valorant, with a focus on their monetization practices involving in-game virtual currencies and micro-transactions. The CPC Network argues that prices for in-game purchases should be displayed in real-world currency to align with EU consumer protection principles, though industry stakeholders have raised concerns about the practicality of this approach.
The CPC Network’s enforcement follows a 2025 dialogue with the games industry that it deemed unsatisfactory, as many stakeholders felt the discussions did not constitute a meaningful exchange. The CPC maintains that consumer protection laws should treat in-game currency purchases as real-money transactions, which could lead to complications such as overwhelming consumers with notifications or creating a double right of withdrawal for a single financial transaction.
The CPC’s legal basis includes EU rules on consumer contracts and prohibitions against misleading commercial practices, though industry representatives argue that existing case law does not support classifying in-game currency as a 'digital representation of value.' The European Game Developer Federation’s managing director criticized the CPC’s approach, stating it risks confusing players about the nature of in-game transactions.
The coordinated actions coincide with broader EU regulatory scrutiny, including the upcoming Digital Fairness Act and the draft EU KIDS Act, which addresses transparency in in-game purchases for children. The inconsistency between these initiatives has raised questions about coordination within the EU Commission, as the CPC’s actions appear to preempt pending legislation while national consumer protection bodies may also escalate enforcement.