Microsoft earlier this year announced an agreement to acquire scandal-plagued Activision Blizzard.
Agency Hakan Nural/Anadolu via Getty Images
A group of four US senators is urging the Federal Trade Commission to review Microsoft’s $68.7 billion deal to acquire video game giant Activision Blizzard. In a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan, the senators raised concerns that the proposed acquisition would undermine “calls for accountability for alleged wrongdoing” at Activision Blizzard, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier Thursday.
“We are deeply concerned by the consolidation in the technology industry and its impact on workers,” the letter said. The letter was sent by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat; Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent; Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey; and Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island.
In January, Microsoft announced plans to acquire scandal-plagued Activision Blizzard. The deal would make Microsoft the third-largest video game maker in the world and give it control of popular franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. Microsoft also promised to clean up Activision Blizzard, which is known for a toxic work culture and has faced allegations of harassment and discrimination. The deal is already facing lawsuits from shareholders.
On Wednesday, a judge approved an $18 million settlement between Activision Blizzard and the U.S. Commission on Equal Opportunities. The settlement ended a lawsuit filed by EEOC in September accusing the video game company of violating employees’ civil rights by subjecting them to sexual harassment, discrimination during pregnancy and retaliation.
Activision Blizzard said Thursday Microsoft supports its efforts to create a decent workplace.
“The company is committed to providing a safe and equitable work environment for all employees and has invested significant resources to ensure we create a model for the industry,” an Activision Blizzard spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “The transaction between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will not interrupt any of the actions that Activision Blizzard’s leadership team has implemented throughout 2021 and continues to implement toward improving our workplace in 2022.”
Microsoft’s corporate vice president Lisa Tanzi added that the company believes Activision Blizzard will continue to make improvements and that Microsoft is “committed to continued progress after the deal closes.”
In their letter to the FTC, senators reportedly indicated that Activision CEO Bobby Kotick will remain in his role until the deal closes in 2023 and may receive a large exit package, though employees and shareholders are urging him to step down .
The FTC and the senators’ offices did not respond to requests for comment.
Get the CNET Culture newsletter
Discover movies, games, superheroes and more with CNET Culture. Delivery on Tuesdays and Fridays.