Title: FTC Informs 37 Million Fortnite Players of Potential Refunds from Epic Games
In a significant development, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated the process of notifying a whopping 37 million Fortnite players about the possibility of receiving refunds from Epic Games. The company recently agreed to pay a staggering $520 million settlement in 2022, following allegations of deceptive practices between January 2017 and September 2022.
One of the main practices that Epic Games employed to deceive players was the use of “dark patterns” to manipulate individuals into making unwanted purchases within the game. As a result, concerns were raised about children below the age of 13 unwittingly accumulating charges without parental consent, thereby violating child privacy protection laws.
As part of the extensive settlement, the FTC has directed a considerable portion, around $245 million, to be allocated towards providing refunds to eligible consumers. To qualify for a refund, players must have been charged for undesired in-game purchases during the specified period, or have encountered unauthorized credit card charges made by minors between January 2017 and November 2018.
In addition to this, players whose Fortnite accounts were unjustifiably locked after contesting unauthorized charges are also eligible to apply for a refund. To file a claim, individuals must possess either a claim number or their Epic Account ID, both of which will be included in an email sent by the FTC.
It is essential for players to be aware that the deadline for submitting a claim is January 17, 2024. Moreover, the exact refund amount per person remains undetermined at this stage, as it depends on the number of claims filed in the coming months.
Epic Games has taken steps to prevent inadvertent purchases following the settlement, acknowledging the ever-evolving video game industry and the importance of adapting regulations to meet new challenges in digital gaming ecosystems.
For comprehensive instructions on filing a claim, players are encouraged to visit the designated claim site or the FTC’s official website. Should players have any questions or concerns, they may reach out to the FTC directly at (888) 915-0880 or via email at [email protected].
As the FTC notifies millions of Fortnite players about their potential eligibility for refunds, it sets an important precedent in holding gaming companies accountable for deceptive practices that target vulnerable players. This landmark settlement emphasizes the need for robust consumer protection laws in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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