Microsoft Activision deal EU approval is currently hanging in the balance as the European Commission (EC) announced an in-depth probe of the proposed acquisition. Although it hasn’t made a decision, the EC’s initial response to the deal has not only irked Microsoft but also Xbox fans, who continue to accuse the regulator of taking sides with Sony. In the midst of this, a controversial tweet by an EC employee further complicated matters.
Microsoft Activision deal EU investigation complicated by a tweet
Last week, EC’s Deputy Head of Unit Interinstitutional & Outreach Ricardo Cardoso tweeted that the regulator is “working to ensure that you will still be able to play Call of Duty on other consoles (including my PlayStation).” All hell certainly broke loose as a number of fans and industry professionals took his tweet as him representing the EC’s view on the matter. Now, the EC has clarified to TweakTown that Cardoso is not involved in the Microsoft Activision deal’s investigation and he is allowed to tweet in a personal capacity.
“Mr Cardoso works in the Director General for the Internal Market and not in the Directorate General for Competition,” the statement reads. “Mr Cardoso is not involved in the assessment of this transaction. Furthermore, as indicated clearly in his Twitter profile, he tweets in a personal capacity.”
