Companies are Misleading Consumers with Micropayments, Says European Consumer Organisation

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has filed a formal complaint to the European Commission (EC) and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC) regarding the use of premium in-game currencies. BEUC, along with consumer groups from 17 countries, accuses major game developers behind titles like Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, Minecraft, and Clash of Clans of misleading consumers with these currencies.

In their publication Game Over, BEUC claims that premium in-game currencies violate EU consumer protection laws. They present four key points: consumers cannot accurately determine the cost of digital items, leading to overspending; the claim that players prefer these currencies is false; consumer rights are often ignored; and children, who spend an average of €39 monthly on in-game purchases, are particularly vulnerable.

The organisation stresses that transparency in pricing is essential, demanding that virtual purchases be displayed in real-world currency. BEUC emphasizes, “Ultimately, consumers need full transparency about the price of virtual items at the moment of purchase.” They call for consumer rights in the virtual world to align with those in the real world, including withdrawal rights and legal guarantees.

BEUC urges the CPC to enforce stricter consumer laws in the gaming industry to protect vulnerable players, especially children.