"FTC Announces $245 Million Fortnite Refund Initiative for Deceptive Purchases"

 

"FTC Announces $245 Million Fortnite Refund Initiative for Deceptive Purchases"

Fortnite players who've experienced unwelcome purchases within the popular online video game can now find solace in more than just venting their frustrations by smashing their controllers.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Tuesday that it has initiated notifications to reach out to a staggering 37 million individuals who may be eligible for refunds from Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite. In 2022, Epic Games consented to pay a hefty sum of $520 million to resolve government allegations that it employed deceptive tactics, including the use of "dark patterns," to deceive players into acquiring items such as costumes, dance moves, and "loot crates."

In addition to these allegations, government regulators also accused Epic Games of making it excessively easy for players under the age of 13 to amass charges on their accounts without their parents' consent, thus violating a federal law designed to safeguard children's privacy. Furthermore, when users disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card companies, the company allegedly retaliated by locking their Fortnite accounts.

Out of the massive 2022 settlement, a substantial $245 million will be allocated towards providing refunds to eligible consumers. The FTC has outlined the criteria for seeking a refund:

1. You were billed in in-game currency for undesired purchases between January 2017 and September 2022.

2. Your child made in-game purchases without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018.

3. Your Fortnite account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you reported unwanted charges to your credit card provider.

To initiate the process of filing a Fortnite claim, consumers can visit the claim site provided, and detailed instructions can be found at https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/fortnite-refunds To submit a claim, you'll need a claim number or your Epic Account ID. The FTC began sending emails to Fortnite gamers on September 19, and this outreach campaign is expected to continue for a month. The deadline for submitting a claim is January 17, 2024. For any inquiries, individuals can contact the FTC at (888) 915-0880 or via email at admin@fortniterefund.com.

As for the exact refund amount per person, it remains undetermined, as it will depend on various factors, including the number of claimants. In response to these allegations and the subsequent settlement, Epic Games announced last year that it had implemented additional measures to prevent unintended purchases.

In a statement made by the company ahead of the FTC settlement, Epic Games highlighted the rapid evolution of the video game industry and the need to adapt to changing player expectations. They noted, "The video game industry is a place of fast-moving innovation, where player expectations are high and new ideas are paramount. Statutes written decades ago don't specify how gaming ecosystems should operate. The laws have not changed, but their application has evolved, and long-standing industry practices are no longer enough."