"As reported by 404 Media, they also suggested that Saudi Arabia's ownership may rise to the level of a "national security" risk. "The deal's potential to expand and strengthen Saudi foreign influence in the United States is compounded by the national security risks raised by the Saudi government's access to and unchecked influence over the sensitive personal information collected from EA's millions of users, its development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and the company's product design and direction.""
"Saudi Arabia's PIF has spent a lot of money to invest in multiple video game companies, including Nintendo. The country also struck a 12-year pact with the IOC to bring the Olympic Esports to Saudi Arabia for multiple events. Saudi Arabia has been accused of numerous human rights violations as well as the 2018 assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Investing in video game companies and other diversified holdings has been interpreted as a way for the country to whitewash its image on the international stage."
Electronic Arts agreed to a $55 billion deal to go private with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake. Two U.S. senators asked whether Saudi ownership would undermine EA's editorial independence and raised potential national security concerns. The senators emphasized risks from Saudi access to sensitive user data, influence over AI development, and control of product direction. Saudi Arabia's PIF has invested heavily across the video game industry and secured a 12-year Olympic Esports pact. Critics point to human rights abuses and the Khashoggi assassination, and some view investments as attempts to whitewash the country's international image.
Read at GameSpot
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