CIPP/US Study Guide
Chapter 10: Education Privacy

FTC v. Epic Games (Fortnite)

In a 2023 settlement, Epic Games (maker of Fortnite) agreed to pay $520 million total: $275 million for violating COPPA (the largest COPPA penalty) and $245 million in refunds for using dark patterns to trick players into unwanted purchases.

In 2023 the FTC reached a settlement with Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. Epic agreed to pay $520 million in total. This broke into two distinct parts: $275 million for violating COPPA, the largest COPPA penalty to date, and $245 million in refunds to players for the use of dark patterns that tricked them into unwanted purchases.

The settlement required Epic to adopt stronger privacy defaults, including parental consent for under-13 interactive features, to stop unauthorized charges, and to discontinue the dark patterns at issue.

Splitting the $520M

$275M = COPPA penalty (record-setting). $245M = refunds for dark patterns. Together that is the $520M total.

Key terms - quick answers

What is “Dark Pattern”?
A deceptive interface design that manipulates users into actions they did not intend, such as confusing buttons that triggered unwanted Fortnite purchases.
What is “Epic Games”?
The maker of Fortnite, which in 2023 reached a $520 million settlement with the FTC over COPPA violations and dark patterns.