Epic Games, the company behind the popular game Fortnite, has reached a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for a whopping $245 million. The settlement stems from allegations of deceptive tactics employed by Epic Games within the game, targeting players to make unwanted purchases.
The FTC accused Epic Games of using dark patterns and misleading practices to entice players to spend money on in-game items. These manipulative strategies essentially tricked users into making purchases they didn’t intend to make. As a result, the FTC stepped in and demanded that Epic Games pay a hefty sum as restitution.
But that’s not all – the settlement also includes an additional payment of $275 million for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The FTC found that Epic Games had been collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 without obtaining parental consent.
What does this mean for affected Fortnite users? Well, if you’re one of the estimated 37 million users who were affected by these deceptive practices, you may be eligible to receive compensation. The settlement fund has been set up to accommodate claims from harmed users.
There are specific criteria for eligibility, however. Users who were charged for unwanted in-game purchases between January 2017 and September 2022, parents whose children made unauthorized charges on Fortnite between January 2017 and November 2018, or users who had their accounts locked after disputing charges with their credit card company can apply for compensation.
To avail themselves of this opportunity, affected users must submit their claims by January 17, 2024. While the exact payment for each settlement remains unknown, the ability to seek restitution is undoubtedly a significant development for those impacted.
As part of the settlement agreement, Epic Games is now prohibited from employing dark patterns or charging consumers without consent. Additionally, the company cannot lock players out of their accounts in response to chargeback requests.
In response to the settlement, Epic Games released a blog post stating their commitment to consumer protection and their dedication to providing the best possible gaming experience for players. This settlement serves as a reminder to the gaming industry as a whole to maintain transparency and ethical practices, particularly when it comes to younger players.
As the world of gaming continues to evolve, it is crucial that companies prioritize the well-being of their users and ensure that their practices align with ethical standards. With this settlement, the FTC has made it clear that deceptive tactics will not go unnoticed, and companies will be held accountable for their actions.
Alcohol maven. Incurable pop culture specialist. Communicator. Gamer. Certified explorer.