FTC Orders Epic Games to Pay $245 Million to Users

Multiple Blue Rings Learn more

The Federal Trade Commission rules that Epic Games must refund $245 million to its player base after tricking them into paying for unwanted charges.

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The ruling states that the video game developer allowed children to rack up unauthorized fees in their popular game Fortnite without any parental involvement.

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Initially, a complaint was announced in December. This was part of a settlement with Epic Games for violating children’s privacy laws.

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FTC Chair Lina M. Khan commented on the complaint in December. “As our complaints note,” she stated, “Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children.

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“The Justice Department takes very seriously its mission to protect consumers’ data privacy rights,” added Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

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MORE ABOUT FORTNITE AND EPIC GAMES

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Fortnite, their most popular game with over 400 million users, is a free-to-play third-person shooter. The game focuses on eliminating enemies on a shrinking battlefield while using the terrain to build fortifications.

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Known as micro-transactions, these are in-game purchases you can make that don’t affect how the game plays. Still, some players can’t ignore the allure of a costume based on a popular movie or comic book.

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The 8 Best Games To Play Drunk With Your Friends

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FTC Orders Epic Games to Pay $245 Million to Users

The Federal Trade Commission rules that Epic Games must refund $245 million to its player base after tricking them into paying for unwanted charges.

The ruling states that the video game developer allowed children to rack up unauthorized fees in their popular game Fortnite without any parental involvement.

Initially, a complaint was announced in December. This was part of a settlement with Epic Games for violating children’s privacy laws.

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan commented on the complaint in December. “As our complaints note,” she stated, “Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children.

“The Justice Department takes very seriously its mission to protect consumers’ data privacy rights,” added Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

MORE ABOUT FORTNITE AND EPIC GAMES

Epic Games has been in the video game business for over 30 years. The Cary, North Carolina-based company has made the popular first-person shooter Unreal Tournament for the PC.

Fortnite, their most popular game with over 400 million users, is a free-to-play third-person shooter. The game focuses on eliminating enemies on a shrinking battlefield while using the terrain to build fortifications.

Known as micro-transactions, these are in-game purchases you can make that don’t affect how the game plays. Still, some players can’t ignore the allure of a costume based on a popular movie or comic book.

Click Below to Read More

Click Below to Read More

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