FTC Will Hold A ‘Public Workshop’ On Loot Boxes

Loot boxes in games have been the subject of some controversy lately and in a bid to improve the public’s knowledge about them, the United States Federal Trade Commission will reportedly be conducting a “public workshop” on the subject of loot boxes later this year.

According to Variety, FTC commission chairman Joseph Simons has sent a letter which details the commission’s plan to host a public workshop on loot boxes later this year. He sent the letter to Maggie Hassan who has previously called on the ESRB to look into whether loot boxes are being promoted in an “ethical and transparent way.”

The copy of his letter obtained by the scribe mentions that “I share your concerns about loot boxes, but I cannot address your specific questions about any nonpublic law enforcement efforts.” This leaves it unclear if the FTC is going to investigate loot boxes legally or name those who are involved if it were to launch a legal investigation.

“We are currently planning a public workshop on loot boxes for later this year as one non-law enforcement option,” he wrote, adding that this workshop could offer a forum for stakeholders to “guide subsequent consumer outreach, which could include a consumer alert.”

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Gaming
Tags: ftc