Blizzard Preparing To Block Microtransactions By Default On Some Battle.Net Accounts

Blizzard is modifying Battle.net accounts in the next day or so to enable an additional layer of parental control. Once the changes are made, customers who have parental settings active will have microtransactions disabled by default.

The changes affect Hearthstone, World of Warcraft, and Diablo III. The latter, of course, only matters until the in-game auction house shuts down on March 18.

The move is designed to prevent younger players from making unauthorized purchases. To enable microtransactions, players need to visit the parental controls page and follow the steps outlined there.

[Source: Blizzard via Destructoid]

Our Take
Like other parents, I've had a few surprise transactions occur on my accounts after letting my young kids play on my iPad. I certainly take responsibility, just as I welcome any kind of safeguards to prevent it in the first place.