News/Epic Games Fined

Epic Games Fined

Drama

14 May 2024 17:36

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has imposed a fine of €1,125k on Epic Games for employing "unfair commercial practices" targeting children in Fortnite. Following an investigation, the ACM concluded that Epic Games took advantage of children's vulnerabilities through certain design choices in its item shop. This included the use of coercive language such as "get it now" or "buy now" in advertisements, deemed as an "illegal aggressive commercial practice" by the ACM. For this violation, Epic Games was fined €562k.

Additionally, the investigation revealed the use of countdown timers on advertisements for items that remained available in the shop even after the countdown elapsed. The ACM considered this tactic as exploiting children's fear of missing out by suggesting scarcity of items that were actually still purchasable. Epic Games incurred another fine of €562k for this violation.

More: Disguised Partners with Chipotle

Epic Games stated "The findings in the ACM's decision contain significant factual errors about how Fortnite and the Item Shop operate. The ACM is mandating changes that would result in a poor experience for players. We will appeal this decision. While our appeal is pending, players in the Netherlands that are under the age of 18 will not be able to see or purchase items that are in the shop for less than 48 hours, beginning May 24, 2024."

Tags: Epic Games Fined

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news

Related news

View All

EA to Lay off 300-400 Employees

Electronic Arts (EA) is laying off between 300 and 400 employees in a significant restructuring effort, according to a report...

Drama

May 01, 2025

VCT EMEA Stage 1 Will Continue Friday

After a series of technical difficulties disrupted the VCT EMEA Stage 1, Riot Games has upgraded its PCs and...

Drama

May 01, 2025

US Court Forces Injunction on Apple

In a major development in the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, a U.S. federal court has...

Drama

May 01, 2025

Wargaming Studio Lesta Seized by Russian Government

The Russian government has reportedly seized control of Lesta Studios, the former Wargaming-owned game developer based in Moscow, citing allegations...

Drama

Apr 29, 2025

Anbernic Stops US Shipments

Chinese retro handheld console maker Anbernic has temporarily halted shipments to the United States in response to tariff policies originally...

Drama

Apr 22, 2025

Epic Games Fined

Drama

14 May 2024 17:36

Tags: Epic Games Fined

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has imposed a fine of €1,125k on Epic Games for employing "unfair commercial practices" targeting children in Fortnite. Following an investigation, the ACM concluded that Epic Games took advantage of children's vulnerabilities through certain design choices in its item shop. This included the use of coercive language such as "get it now" or "buy now" in advertisements, deemed as an "illegal aggressive commercial practice" by the ACM. For this violation, Epic Games was fined €562k.

Additionally, the investigation revealed the use of countdown timers on advertisements for items that remained available in the shop even after the countdown elapsed. The ACM considered this tactic as exploiting children's fear of missing out by suggesting scarcity of items that were actually still purchasable. Epic Games incurred another fine of €562k for this violation.

More: Disguised Partners with Chipotle

Epic Games stated "The findings in the ACM's decision contain significant factual errors about how Fortnite and the Item Shop operate. The ACM is mandating changes that would result in a poor experience for players. We will appeal this decision. While our appeal is pending, players in the Netherlands that are under the age of 18 will not be able to see or purchase items that are in the shop for less than 48 hours, beginning May 24, 2024."

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news

Related news

View All

EA to Lay off 300-400 Employees

Electronic Arts (EA) is laying off between 300 and 400 employees in a significant restructuring effort, according to a report...

Drama

May 01, 2025

VCT EMEA Stage 1 Will Continue Friday

After a series of technical difficulties disrupted the VCT EMEA Stage 1, Riot Games has upgraded its PCs and...

Drama

May 01, 2025

US Court Forces Injunction on Apple

In a major development in the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, a U.S. federal court has...

Drama

May 01, 2025

Wargaming Studio Lesta Seized by Russian Government

The Russian government has reportedly seized control of Lesta Studios, the former Wargaming-owned game developer based in Moscow, citing allegations...

Drama

Apr 29, 2025

Anbernic Stops US Shipments

Chinese retro handheld console maker Anbernic has temporarily halted shipments to the United States in response to tariff policies originally...

Drama

Apr 22, 2025