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Frustrated parents whose children made unauthorized purchases on the popular video game Fortnite now have a chance to get their money back.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today that more than 37 million people may be eligible for compensation as part of a settlement with the game’s maker, Epic Games. To apply for a refund, affected individuals can visit the FTC’s website.
Last year, the FTC accused Epic Games of using deceptive tactics and making it easy for children to charge purchases without parental consent. According to a recent blog post, the company even locked the accounts of users who disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card companies.
To be eligible for a refund, applicants must be 18 years or older, or have a parent or guardian complete the refund request. The refund form can be submitted with the claim number and Epic Account ID through this link. Instructions for finding an account ID can be found here.
The deadline to apply for a refund is January 17, 2024.
While the amount of each refund has not been disclosed, the FTC stated that approved claim amounts will depend on the number of applicants. The agency has not provided a specific timeline for payment distribution.
In addition to the consumer refunds, Epic Games has agreed to pay $245 million to settle the FTC complaint. The company will also pay a $275 million penalty for allegedly violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule.
As part of the settlement, Epic Games is prohibited from using deceptive designs or charging consumers without their consent. The company is also not allowed to block users’ accounts in response to disputes over unauthorized charges.
Epic Games expressed its commitment to consumer protection in a blog post following the settlement announcement.
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