Electronic Arts Sale Considered a National Security Risk
Electronic Arts (EA), one of the world’s largest game publishers, reached an agreement last month to be acquired by a consortium led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. The consortium also includes Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, founded by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. However, this massive acquisition has drawn the attention of US senators and sparked significant debate.
Electronic Arts Sale Sparks Concerns in Washington
“This potential acquisition increases the risk of foreign influence in the American video game industry and poses serious threats to national security,” US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal wrote in a joint letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The letter alleged that Saudi Arabia seeks to gain strategic influence in the US through this deal.
The senators stated that the PIF was acting as an “extension of the Saudi government,” and that this could be not only an economic but also a political move. The letter also emphasized that the transfer of user data collected by EA over the years to foreign investors could pose a data privacy risk. This concern stems from the company’s ownership of the personal data of millions of gamers worldwide.
US politicians also warned that the deal could undermine transparency and that “foreign interests” could influence Electronic Arts’ management. Warren and Blumenthal requested that the sale be thoroughly reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in Electronic Arts (CFIUS).
The committee is required to assess EA’s privatization from a national security perspective and submit its findings to the Treasury Department by November 4, 2025. If the acquisition goes through, it will go down in history as one of the most controversial foreign investment ventures in the US gaming industry to date.
Read More: The Crew 2 Brings the Mode Players Have Been Waiting For
