Maker of Fortnite , Agrees to Pay Record-Breaking , $520 Settlement .
'The Guardian' reports that video game developer Epic Games will pay out $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints about privacy and deception.
'The Guardian' reports that video game developer Epic Games will pay out $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints about privacy and deception.
According to federal regulators on December 19, the record-breaking settlements will end two cases against the maker of the popular game Fortnite.
According to federal regulators on December 19, the record-breaking settlements will end two cases against the maker of the popular game Fortnite.
Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children, Lina Khan, FTC chair, via NBC.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), , Epic Games collected personal information from players under 13 without informing parents or receiving their consent.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), , Epic Games collected personal information from players under 13 without informing parents or receiving their consent.
The $275 million fine the company agreed to pay to settle this charge was the biggest penalty ever issued for violating an FTC rule.
The $275 million fine the company agreed to pay to settle this charge was the biggest penalty ever issued for violating an FTC rule.
In addition to this fine, Epic Games will also refund $254 million to customers who fell victim to "dark patterns" and billing practices.
According to 'The Guardian,' , dark patterns , are deceptive online techniques used to manipulate users.
Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button, FTC statement, via NBC.
Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button, FTC statement, via NBC.
These tactics led to hundreds of millions of dollars in unauthorized charges for consumers, FTC statement, via NBC.
According to Epic Games, the refunds were being issued to resolve concerns over, “past designs of the Fortnite item shop and refund systems.”
