In a bid to address concerns related to children’s privacy and unauthorized purchases, U.S. regulators are notifying more than 37 million people of a potential refund opportunity tied to the popular online game, Fortnite. This development comes as part of a legal settlement with the game’s creator, Epic Games Inc.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Refunds for Unwanted In-Game Purchases: If your child made purchases within Fortnite without your knowledge between January 2017 and September 2022, you may be eligible for a refund. This includes charges for in-game currency and virtual items like outfits or llama loot crates.
- Unauthorized Credit Card Charges: Parents who discovered unauthorized credit card charges related to Fortnite between January 2017 and November 2018 are also eligible for potential compensation.
- FTC Settlement: Late last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Epic Games would pay a whopping $520 million in penalties and refunds as part of a settlement. Of this sum, $245 million is earmarked for customer refunds.
- Data Collection Fine: In addition to the refunds, Epic Games will pay a substantial $275 million fine. This penalty stems from the company’s alleged collection of personal information from Fortnite players under the age of 13 without parental consent, marking the largest fine ever imposed for violating an FTC rule.
- Claim Deadline: Interested consumers have until January 17 to submit their claims for refunds.
Epic Games, in response to the settlement, has committed to implementing additional safeguards to prevent unintended purchases in Fortnite. The company settled the case in December, and its updated statement directs users to the FTC’s official page for further information.
This development marks a significant step in addressing concerns surrounding children’s online gaming experiences and the importance of parental control when it comes to in-game purchases. Parents and affected individuals are encouraged to check their eligibility for refunds and take advantage of this opportunity provided by the FTC’s settlement with Epic Games.
