Context:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over 969,000 refunds totaling more than $126 million to Fortnite players who were allegedly tricked into making unwanted purchases by Epic Games. This follows a previous round of payments exceeding $72 million in December 2024, as part of a $520 million settlement addressing complaints about children's privacy and deceptive payment methods. The FTC accused Epic of using misleading design tactics that resulted in unintended purchases and blocked users who disputed charges. With about $198 million already paid, approximately $47 million remains to be distributed, with claims still being reviewed and eligible players having until July 9 to apply. Epic Games has expressed its commitment to consumer protection and is implementing changes to meet regulatory and player expectations.

Dive Deeper:

• The FTC is issuing refunds to Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted in-game purchases, distributing over 969,000 refunds totaling more than $126 million in its latest round. This initiative is part of a larger settlement with Epic Games, which agreed to pay $520 million to address allegations of deceptive practices.

• The FTC alleged that Epic Games employed misleading online design tactics that tricked players, including children, into making unintended purchases. Players could incur charges from simple actions like waking the game from sleep mode or pressing nearby buttons while previewing items.

• Epic Games faced accusations of blocking users who disputed wrongful charges from accessing purchased content. The settlement included a $275 million fine for collecting personal information from players under the age of 13 and $245 million allocated for customer refunds.

• To date, approximately $198 million of the refund settlement has been distributed, leaving around $47 million still to be sent out. The FTC has reopened the claims process, allowing eligible players who have not yet been compensated to file claims until July 9.

• Eligibility for the refunds includes Fortnite players who were charged for items they did not want, saw their accounts locked after disputing charges, or parents whose children made unauthorized charges on their credit cards. These incidents must have occurred between January 2017 and September 2022, or between January 2018 and November 2018 for unauthorized charges by children.

• Refunds are being distributed via checks or PayPal payments, and players are encouraged to visit the FTC's website to apply and learn more about the process. Epic Games has stated its commitment to consumer protection and is implementing changes to enhance player and regulatory satisfaction.

• Epic Games, based in Cary, North Carolina, accepted the settlement as part of its effort to be a leader in consumer protection, aiming to provide the best experience for its players and set a standard for the industry.