US senator raises concerns about Activision Blizzard deal

Four US Senators have sent a letter Lina Khan, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), expressed concern that Activision Blizzard’s pending acquisition by Microsoft has “hindered union efforts and undermined calls for human accountability.” labor.” The letter was sent by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse and Cory Booker, ask the FTC to oppose the takeover if it is found to “enhance monopoly power and worsen the bargaining position between workers and the parties to the agreement.” this agreement. ”

Before and during its acquisition by Microsoft for a total of $68.7 billion, far exceeding any previous acquisition in the gaming industry, Activision Blizzard found itself subject to the scrutiny of numerous government entities. Company recently resolved a lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding complaints of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in the workplace created an $18 million fund for compensation claimants.

California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which first brought to light allegations of misconduct and discrimination at Activision Blizzard, is continuing its lawsuit against the company. This incident, along with the financial troubles it brought to Activision Blizzard, eventually led to Microsoft’s acquisition of the company.

Likewise, Activision has seen an uptick in consolidation efforts since Microsoft announced that it intends to acquire the gaming giant. In January, 34 QA employees at Activision’s Raven Software, the developer for the publisher’s hit battle royale title Call of Duty: WarzoneVoting to form a trade union. Activision has since declined to voluntarily recognize that alliance and reorganized Raven Software’s QA division, scattering many of its members across multiple divisions rather than keeping them in one cohesive unit.