https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/ftc-finalizes-order-requiring-fortnite-maker-epic-games-pay-245-million-tricking-users-making Skip to main content U.S. flag An official website of the United States government Here's how you know Here's how you know Dot gov The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Https The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Translation Menu * Espanol * Report Fraud * Sign Up for Consumer Alerts * Search the Legal Library Menu close Main Menu Mega * Show/hide Enforcement menu items Enforcement We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. 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Search the Legal Library instead. Breadcrumb 1. Home 2. News and Events 3. News 4. Press Releases For Your Information FTC Finalizes Order Requiring Fortnite maker Epic Games to Pay $245 Million for Tricking Users into Making Unwanted Charges FTC will use the money to provide refunds to consumers March 14, 2023 Tags: * Consumer Protection * Bureau of Consumer Protection * Credit and Finance * Payments and Billing * Privacy and Security * Children's Privacy * Gaming The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an order requiring Epic Games, the maker of the Fortnite video game, to pay $245 million to consumers to settle charges that the company used dark patterns to trick players into making unwanted purchases and let children rack up unauthorized charges without any parental involvement. In a complaint announced in December as part of a settlement package with Epic, the FTC said that Epic deployed a variety of design tricks known as dark patterns aimed at getting consumers of all ages to make unintended in-game purchases. Fortnite's counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button. The company also made it easy for children to make purchases while playing Fortnite without requiring any parental consent. According to the FTC's complaint, Epic also locked the accounts of customers who disputed unauthorized charges with their credit card companies. Under the FTC's order, Epic must pay $245 million, which will be used to provide refunds to consumers. The order also prohibits Epic from charging consumers through the use of dark patterns or from otherwise charging consumers without obtaining their affirmative consent. Additionally, the order bars Epic from blocking consumers from accessing their accounts for disputing unauthorized charges. After receiving five comments, the Commission voted 4-0 to approve the complaint and order against Epic and the responses to the commenters. As part of a separate settlement, also announced in December, Epic agreed to pay a $275 million penalty to settle FTC allegations that the company violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act Rule. Consumers who believe they may have been injured by Epic's practices can visit FTC.gov/Fortnite for more information on the refund process. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts. Press Release Reference Fortnite Video Game Maker Epic Games to Pay More Than Half a Billion Dollars over FTC Allegations of Privacy Violations and Unwanted Charges Contact Information Media Contact Juliana Gruenwald Henderson Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2924 Related Cases Epic Games, In the Matter of Related Refunds Fortnite Refunds Topics Privacy and Security Enforcement COPPA Safe Harbor Program Return to top Menu Secondary Menu * Report Fraud * Sign Up for Consumer Alerts * Search the Legal Library Main navigation * Enforcement + Cases and Proceedings + Premerger Notification Program + Merger Review + Anticompetitive Practices + Rulemaking + Statutes + Competition and Consumer Protection Guidance Documents + Warning Letters + Consumer Sentinel Network + Criminal Liaison Unit + Recent FTC Cases Resulting in Refunds + Notices of Penalty Offenses + Competition Matters Blog * Policy + Advocacy and Research + Advisory Opinions + Cooperation Agreements + Federal Register Notices + Reports + Public Comments + Studies + Testimony + Policy Statements + International * Advice and Guidance + Consumer Advice + Military Consumer + Consumer.gov + Business Guidance + Competition Guidance + Bulk Publications * News and Events + News + Events + Features + Topics + Data and Visualizations + Stay Connected * About the FTC + Mission + History + Commissioners and Staff + Bureaus and Offices + Budget and Strategy + Office of Inspector General + Careers at the FTC + Contact Footer * Privacy Policy * Policy and Notices * FOIA * No FEAR Act * Office of Inspector General * USA.gov