epic game Once again the focus of class action lawsuits Netherlandsa country that pays special attention to the dynamics of live streaming service video games. Dutch consumer protection group Stichting Massaschade & Consument accused the company of employing underlying business practices and design choices. Misleading Children and Young People Playing Fortress Heroes.
The lawsuit seeks to obtain more than $110 million (approximately €100 million) in damages and compensation. SMC also raised objections to Epic Collection of personal data Involves minors without explicit parental consent.
unfair practice
In an update published on September 23, the organization said it wanted to hold Epic Games accountable “on behalf of Dutch children and young people” and called on the company to negotiate a collective solution. The SMC has said it is ready if talks do not start or an agreement is not reached take the matter to court.
“We want Epic Games to ensure that its business practices and design choices do not harm Children’s Trust and Interests and young people and fully comply with consumer protection regulations,” the group said.
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Epic Games responded to the allegations through spokesman Phil Mahoney, stressing that Tools that allow parents to control purchases And set limits on play time. Additionally, according to Mahoney, “Fortnite’s item shop doesn’t have a timer,” and parents can require a password to make purchases with real money. In the Netherlands, underage players are also unable to view or purchase items that have been on the store for less than 48 hours.
The company later recalled that Dutch users under 16 who created an account received a “restricted account,” which prevented them from making purchases with real money without parental or guardian consent. The epic also mentions Additional protection systemincluding two-step confirmation of purchases, the ability to cancel transactions instantly, independent returns for items purchased in store, and clear choices about retaining payment data.
This is not the first time that Epic Games has come under the control of Dutch authorities. In 2024, the Dutch Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) determined that the company had engaged in unfair business practices and imposed a fine of 1.125 million euros on the company. Additionally, Epic Games is less than happy with the legislative proposals for Europe’s Children’s Act, which the company says could have a negative impact on users’ creativity, but more realistically would limit its business.