American Parents Given the Opportunity to Receive Refunds for Fortnite In-Game Purchases

Parents in the US can now claim a refund if their children made unauthorized purchases in the popular game Fortnite. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an initiative to contact 37 million individuals regarding the compensation. This move comes after the FTC accused Fortnite developer, Epic Games, of tricking players into unintended purchases and violating privacy regulations. Epic Games has agreed to pay $245 million in refunds in 2022 as part of a settlement, which also includes a $275 million fine related to data collection on users, including minors. While there is currently no similar agreement in the UK, Epic Games has indicated its willingness to refund UK parents whose children made purchases without their knowledge. The refunds will cover in-game purchases such as outfits, loot boxes, and the game's virtual currency. Those affected have until January 2024 to file their refund claims. Additionally, the settlement allows for compensation for individuals whose Fortnite accounts were blocked after reporting unauthorized charges to their credit card companies. Epic Games has made efforts to address unintended in-game purchases by introducing parental controls, spending limits for players under 13, and default high privacy settings for children. The company accepted the settlement to prioritize consumer protection and enhance player experience. The distribution of compensation will be handled by the FTC, who players can contact directly through their website.