Epic Games, the creator of the popular online game Fortnite, reached a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year over privacy issues and alleged deceptive design practices that led players to unintentionally spend money in the game. As part of this settlement, eligible Fortnite players can now register for a refund through the FTC’s settlement page.
The FTC launched the refund registration page, allowing Fortnite players to sign up if they meet specific criteria and are eligible for a refund. The settlement involves a $520 million package, with $245 million designated for issues related to what the FTC referred to as “dark patterns and billing practices” within Fortnite.
Players have until January 17, 2024, to register for a refund, and the process requires them to link their Epic Games account. Importantly, this refund process is not a return, meaning players won’t lose any in-game items by enrolling in it.
Eligibility for the refund includes:
- Players who were charged for V-Bucks (Fortnite’s in-game currency) for items they didn’t intend to purchase between January 2017 and September 2022.
- Fortnite users who experienced credit card charges resulting from unwanted purchases made by children in the game between January 2017 and November 2018.
- Individuals whose Fortnite accounts were locked by Epic Games for disputing charges through their credit card company related to transactions between January 2017 and September 2022.
The exact refund amount for each player is yet to be determined, as it will depend in part on the number of claims received and how the $245 million is distributed among eligible users. If you were affected by any of the issues mentioned above, it’s advisable to file a claim to determine the refund you may receive.
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