Fortnite players and other Epic Games customers will receive refunds amounting to $72 million due to unlawful billing practices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is processing payments as part of a December 2022 settlement following allegations that Epic Games misled users into making unintended purchases. Approximately 629,000 affected customers are expecting refunds, with the average payment per customer around $114. Payments are scheduled to begin this week.
Epic Games to refund $72 million for Fortnite purchases
In December 2022, the FTC announced a settlement requiring Epic Games to pay $245 million after accusations of using deceptive design techniques, commonly referred to as “dark patterns.” The FTC describes these as practices that manipulate consumers into actions they might not typically take. The case marks the largest refund amount in a gaming-related settlement, highlighting the scrutiny faced by the gaming industry regarding consumer protection.
Refund payments will be distributed in two methods: PayPal and checks. The FTC indicated that about half of the initial payments will be sent through PayPal, with recipients having 30 days to redeem their funds, while check recipients will have 90 days. This distribution represents the first round of refunds, and the FTC has noted that additional payments will occur at a later date.
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The allegations against Epic Games stem from claims that the company utilized confusing button configurations that led players to accidentally incur charges. The FTC’s complaint highlights how merely transitioning the game from sleep to wake mode could trigger unintended purchases. Furthermore, players often pressed adjacent buttons while attempting to preview items, leading to accidental charges. This raised specific concerns regarding consumer protection, particularly for younger players.
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan emphasized the importance of intercepting privacy-invasive practices. She stated, “Protecting the public, and especially children, from online privacy invasions and dark patterns is a top priority for the Commission.” The focus on children connects to other allegations against Epic Games, where the company also paid $520 million in a previous settlement related to violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Affected consumers who may have missed the chance to file claims for refunds are encouraged to act quickly, as claims can still be submitted online through the FTC’s dedicated portal. The timeline for future disbursements remains unclear, creating an environment of uncertainty for those awaiting compensation.
Featured image credit: Epic Games
