Affected Fortnite players in the United States can now claim a share of a $245 million settlement following a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruling against Epic Games over deceptive in-app purchases.
The first round of payments, totalling more than $72 million, has been disbursed, but eligible gamers still have until 10 January 2025 to submit claims and receive compensation of up to $114.
The settlement addresses complaints about charges for unwanted in-game purchases made between January 2017 and September 2022.
Refunds are also available for parents whose children unknowingly charged their credit cards for in-game items between January 2017 and November 2018, as well as players locked out of their accounts after disputing unwanted charges during the same period.
The FTC began issuing refunds in September 2023, with today’s announcement marking the distribution of 629,344 payments via PayPal and mailed cheques.
“The average payment is about $114, though the median payment is $80,” the Commission said. Additional payments are planned for 2025 after all claims have been reviewed.
An estimated 37 million individuals were notified by the FTC about their eligibility, but so far, only a small percentage have claimed their share.
The FTC’s website reveals a significant portion of the settlement fund remains unused. According to the site: “If there is any money left in the settlement fund after the first distribution, the FTC may send a second round of payments.”
The FTC urges eligible consumers to apply through its official claim form by the January 2025 deadline.
This settlement is separate from a $275 million penalty Epic Games paid in December 2022 for violating children’s online privacy laws.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
