The Federal Trade Commission is finalizing an order that makes Epic Games have to pay $245 million to consumers. This is a penalty for inducing players to make unintentional purchases in the game Fortnite.
Epic Games faces two charges in December 2022, and they both involve Fortnite. First, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission found violations of COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), and the second charge relates to in-game payments.
More specifically, the FTC refers to the fact that payments in Fortnite included button configurations that it viewed as both inconsistent and confusing.
Epic Games Has To Pay $245 Million In Fines
This configuration allowed players to make purchases with a single button press, sometimes even unintentionally. Because of such "convenience," the company even made it easier for children to make purchases while playing Fortnite as well, without requiring any consent and parental permission.
- Need a new headset ? We got you covered.
Now, the Federal Trade Commission is finalizing an order requiring Epic Games to refund $245 million to consumers for unfortunate in-game transactions.
FTC finalizes order requiring Fortnite maker Epic Games to pay $245 million for tricking users into making unwanted charges. FTC will use the money to provide refunds to consumers: https://t.co/Mp7JJyRk7y
— FTC (@FTC) March 14, 2023
You Can Get Your Money Back!
To receive a refund for purchases made in Fortnite, you must meet a certain set of conditions. According to the FTC report, those who qualify are:
- Parents whose children made an unauthorized credit card purchase in the Epic Games Store between January 2017 and November 2018
- Fortnite players who were charged in-game currency (V-Bucks) for unwanted in-game items (such as cosmetics, llamas, or battle passes) between January 2017 and September 2022
- Fortnite players whose accounts were locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after disputing unauthorized charges with their credit card companies.
If you think you qualify and are due a refund, stay tuned! More details about the refund process are being determined as the lawsuit recently ended. You can also subscribe to the FTC news teller to receive email updates on Fortnite refunds. Besides, don't worry, we'll keep you updated!