Fortnite / Epic Games Deceptive In-Game Purchases & Dark Patterns FTC Settlement
Case Overview
The Federal Trade Commission filed two separate enforcement actions against Epic Games, the maker of the wildly popular video game Fortnite, in December 2022. The first alleged that Epic violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal data from players under 13 without verifiable parental consent, resulting in a $275 million civil penalty—the largest COPPA penalty ever levied at the time. The second action accused Epic of employing deceptive 'dark pattern' design tactics that caused players, including minors and teenagers, to be charged for in-game currency and virtual items they never intended to buy, leading to a separate $245 million consumer refund fund.
Specifically, the FTC found that Fortnite's interface was deliberately engineered to confuse players: buttons that appeared to pause the game actually triggered purchases, countdown timers created false urgency, and charges were processed while players were in queue screens. The company also allegedly locked accounts of players—including minors—who disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card companies. The combined $520 million settlement represented one of the largest FTC enforcement actions in history. Eligible consumers who were charged for unwanted in-game purchases could file claims for refunds from the $245 million consumer fund.
Who May Qualify
Consumers who were charged for unwanted in-game purchases in Fortnite between January 2017 and September 2022, including parents whose children made unauthorized charges, and players whose accounts were locked after disputing charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a refund from the Epic Games / Fortnite FTC settlement?
The FTC distributed refunds directly to eligible players who were charged for unwanted purchases in Fortnite between January 2017 and September 2022. Claims were submitted through the FTC's official claims portal. The claims deadline was January 17, 2025, and most eligible consumers were contacted directly by the FTC.
How much money will I get from the Fortnite FTC settlement?
The exact payment amount depended on the total number of valid claims filed. The $245 million consumer refund fund was divided among all eligible claimants. Players who had verifiable records of disputed or unintentional charges received the largest individual payouts.
Did Epic Games admit wrongdoing in the Fortnite FTC settlement?
As part of the settlement, Epic Games did not formally admit liability but agreed to pay $520 million and to reform its practices, including making it easier to cancel purchases and obtain refunds, and implementing stronger parental controls for minor players.
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