GamesBattle RoyaleFortniteUS Federal Trade Commission sends out the first wave of $72 million in refunds to Fortnite players that Epic used ‘dark patterns to trick’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesBattle RoyaleFortniteUS Federal Trade Commission sends out the first wave of $72 million in refunds to Fortnite players that Epic used ‘dark patterns to trick’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Epic Games)
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached agreements with Epic Games in 2022 following years of legal wrangling that will eventually see the videogame publisherpay a total of $520 million in penalties and refunds. The allegations were that Fortnite violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and used dark patterns (UI design tricks meant to fool users) to dupe players into purchases.
This is obviously just part of the total $245 million and the FTC calls it the “first round of payments” with more to be made at a “later date.” It even breaks down the $72 million, which is being sent out as 629,344 total payments, split roughly equally between PayPal payments and cheques, with the average payout being $114. Yep, turns out the government doesn’t accept payment in V-Bucks.
The FTC has a dedicated email address for anyone wondering about their refund, which is amusingly enoughadmin@fortniterefund.com, and customers who believe they may be eligible for a refund can submit a claim on a dedicated part of the FTC website. You have to be over 18 and either:
You can read more aboutthe original settlement agreement here.
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