How Italy’s Probe into In-Game Purchases Affects Families on the Move

Traveling with kids? Italy’s 2026 probe into in‑game purchases just changed the rules — here’s what to do

If you’ve ever come back to find unexpected charges on your card after a family trip, you know the anxiety: hotel receipts, mystery app purchases, and the scramble to fix it while on the road. In January 2026 Italy’s competition authority opened formal investigations into Activision Blizzard’s Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile — and that action puts a spotlight on the exact practices that create these travel headaches for parents. This explainer translates those regulatory moves into practical, step‑by‑step advice you can use today on a plane, in a rental car, or in a hotel room.

Quick takeaway (the most important things first)

• Italy’s AGCM investigations (January 2026) target game designs that push long play sessions and confusing virtual currency bundles that can lead minors to spend significant sums.
• Immediate steps for traveling families: remove saved payment methods, enable device‑level in‑app purchase blocks, use airplane mode or offline play, and set clear allowances with kids before travel.
• Longer term: regulators across the EU and beyond are pushing for clearer disclosure of virtual currency value and limits on manipulative mechanics — expect more protections and refunds options in 2026‑2027.

Why Italy’s probe matters for families on the move

On January 2026 the Italian Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) launched two investigations into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard, pointing to the use of design elements that induce long play times and prompt in‑game purchases — often toward minors. The regulator described techniques that:

"...may influence players as consumers — including minors — leading them to spend significant amounts, sometimes exceeding what is necessary to progress in the game and without being fully aware of the expenditure involved."

For traveling parents, the implications are immediate. Hotel downtime, long drives, and flights are prime windows when kids are unsupervised with devices — and games that use time‑limited offers, loot boxes, or confusing virtual currencies can convert boredom into surprise charges.

The manipulative mechanics to watch for (and how they work)

Not all microtransactions are malicious, but several common design patterns are deliberately optimized to trigger fast purchases — especially in children. Knowing them helps you plan effective defenses.

Dark patterns and psychological triggers

• Scarcity timers — “limited‑time” bundles or countdowns that pressure immediate buys.
• Fear of missing out (FOMO) — events that reward only immediate participants.
• Virtual currency bundles — selling coin packs with confusing exchange rates so it’s hard to see the true price per item.
• Loot boxes — randomized rewards that mimic gambling mechanics and encourage repeat purchases to chase rare items.
• Grinding acceleration — microtransactions that speed progression, tempting parents to “spare” kids the grind during trips.

Why travel amplifies risk

1. Less routine: kids are out of their normal boundaries and parents are busy, making impulsive buys more likely.
2. Convenience of saved payment methods: hotel Wi‑Fi or a parent’s phone often already stores cards.
3. Connectivity: long waits or downtime lead to sustained play that triggers timers or daily login events.

What regulators are doing — trends through early 2026

Regulatory scrutiny of in‑game monetization has been rising for years. The AGCM’s 2026 investigations are part of a broader trend across Europe and other jurisdictions to treat certain microtransaction models as potential consumer harm when targeted at minors or presented opaquely.

• Greater transparency: Authorities are insisting on clearer pricing and exchange rates for virtual currencies so consumers can compare real costs.
• Limits on manipulative mechanics: Regulators are especially focused on loot boxes, time‑pressured sales, and deceptive bundled pricing.
• Stronger refund and dispute options: Consumer protection agencies have pushed platforms to streamline refund channels for inadvertent purchases by minors.

What this means practically: within 2026 you should see app stores and publishers update in‑app purchase flows, require clearer consent, and — in some cases — remove or change mechanics that encourage rapid, repeat spending.

Practical, actionable rules to set before you travel

Think of travel rules as pre‑commitments: simple constraints that prevent impulse purchases and keep peace of mind.

Pre‑trip setup (do these at home)

• Remove saved payment methods: On Apple and Android devices, sign out stored cards or set a low‑limit travel card with minimal funds. Many accidental purchases happen because a card is already saved.
• Use family sharing & Ask to Buy: iOS Family Sharing has "Ask to Buy" which requires parental approval for purchases; Google Family Link has approval workflows for purchases on Google Play.
• Turn off in‑app purchases: On iPhone go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In‑app Purchases > Don't Allow. On Android, open Play Store > Settings > Authentication > Require authentication for purchases — select "For all purchases through Google Play on this device."
• Create a travel profile: Use a specific device profile or a child account with limited permissions rather than handing over your main account.
• Install offline entertainment: Download ad‑free apps, audiobooks, movies, and puzzles before you go so kids can play without connecting to purchase offers or live events.

On the road and in hotels (quick, effective actions)

• Use airplane mode for pure offline play. Many games still allow local play without a network connection; this blocks all purchases and most timers.
• Set up a managed hotspot: If you need internet for mapping or emergencies, use your phone’s hotspot but do not share payment methods. Consider a data‑only travel SIM or portable router that you control.
• Block app store access: Temporarily disable the App Store/Google Play on the device or use content restrictions so purchases can't be completed while traveling.
• Keep devices supervised: If a child wants to play an online social or gacha game, place the device in a common area, not inside a hotel room closed door.
• Check hotel/room devices: Many hotel smart TVs, consoles, or streaming sticks are logged into previous guests’ accounts and may offer in‑app purchases. Log out of accounts you don’t control and avoid connecting your card to unfamiliar devices.

Device‑specific step‑by‑step quick guides

iPhone & iPad (iOS 16–iOS 18 style)

1. Settings > Screen Time > Turn On Screen Time > Set up as Parent.
2. Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In‑app Purchases > Don’t Allow.
3. Family Sharing > Ask to Buy > Turn on for child accounts.
4. Settings > [your name] > Payment & Shipping > remove saved cards or add a prepaid travel card with limited funds.

Android (Google Play and Family Link)

1. Install Google Family Link for parents and add a child account.
2. Open Play Store > Settings > Authentication > Require authentication for purchases > For all purchases through Google Play on this device.
3. Play Store > Menu > Payments & Subscriptions > Payment methods > Remove cards or use a low‑balance prepaid option.

Windows/Steam/console devices

• Use separate user profiles without linked payment methods.
• On Steam, disable "Store" access for child accounts in Family View.
• On Xbox/PlayStation, use family settings to require parental approval for purchases and remove stored payment details.

If a charge does happen — practical recovery steps while traveling

Even with the best plans, mistakes happen. Act quickly:

1. Check the purchase history on the device and app store. Note the exact date, time, app name, and transaction ID.
2. Request a refund via the platform: Apple (reportaproblem.apple.com), Google Play (play.google.com/store/account > Order History > Request a refund) — state that it was an unauthorized or accidental child purchase.
3. Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to ask about chargeback options if the platform process fails.
4. Preserve evidence: screenshots, the app page, and any promotional screenshots showing the mechanics or lack of clear pricing. If you’re in Italy, note you can file a complaint with the AGCM; across the EU use the ODR (Online Dispute Resolution) platform for cross‑border purchases.

Teaching moments — turning mobile gaming into a learning opportunity

Preventive controls are essential, but so is education. Use travel downtime to teach older kids about:

• Money math: explain real cost vs. virtual currency bundles and how buying a $20 gem pack can be different from a $20 toy.
• Design intent: make them aware that many games are built to encourage spending and that it’s okay to say no.
• Boundaries: set clear allowances and consequences — e.g., one paid cosmetic per month with an agreed budget.

What families should expect next (2026 outlook)

Because of investigations like AGCM’s and continuing public pressure, expect these developments through 2026 and into 2027:

• More transparent virtual currency pricing: publishers will be pressured (or forced) to show the real‑world price equivalent for in‑game coins.
• Platform policy updates: Apple and Google are likely to expand requirements for parental controls and explicit purchase consent mechanisms in response to regulator guidance.
• Refund and dispute improvements: streamlined complaint paths for accidental child purchases and clearer record keeping for microtransactions.
• Product changes: some publishers may modify or remove the most aggressive time‑pressured mechanics to avoid legal risks, especially in the EU and UK.

Checklist: 10 things to do before your next family trip

1. Remove or limit saved payment methods on every shared device.
2. Enable iOS Screen Time or Google Family Link for child accounts.
3. Disable in‑app purchases in device settings.
4. Download offline games, books, and films ahead of travel.
5. Put devices into airplane mode for offline play when possible.
6. Set clear spending rules and allowances with kids.
7. Use a prepaid travel card for unavoidable purchases.
8. Check hotel smart devices and log out of unknown accounts.
9. Know how to request refunds (platform procedures) and bank chargebacks.
10. Keep a screenshot record of suspicious game offers or unclear pricing in case you need to escalate.

Final thoughts — safety, not censorship

The conversation sparked by Italy’s investigations is not about banning mobile games; it’s about creating safer commerce and clearer information so families aren’t surprised by charges. For parents traveling with kids, the tools you need are mostly at your fingertips: a few pre‑trip settings, some offline entertainment, and clear rules. Regulators are catching up, but until publishers and platforms fully adapt, your best defense is preparation.

Call to action

Before your next trip, take five minutes to apply these settings and download offline content — and share this guide with other parents traveling with kids. For the latest travel safety alerts, device‑setup walkthroughs, and local consumer protection updates (including AGCM developments in Italy), subscribe to our family travel alerts or bookmark this page and check back — we’ll update this article as regulators and platforms roll out new protections through 2026.

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