Activision Blizzard Agrees to $35 Million Settlement for Alleged Workplace Misconduct, Denies Liability.

Activision Blizzard has settled with the SEC for $35 million over allegations of inadequate workplace disclosures and violation of SEC whistleblower protection rules.

The company has agreed to pay the settlement fee without admitting or denying any wrongdoing. The SEC stated that Activision Blizzard lacked controls and procedures to assess the volume and substance of employee complaints about workplace misconduct between 2018 and 2021.

The company also executed separation agreements that violated the Commission’s whistleblower protection rule by requiring former employees to inform the company if they received a request for information from the SEC’s staff.

In a statement, Activision Blizzard said it has enhanced its disclosure processes and updated its separation contract language. The proposed $68.7 billion Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard has faced pressure and scrutiny, including a lawsuit from the FTC.