Electronics – Consumer Products Law Watch

Over a Fortnite: Epic Games to Pay Record US$520 Million to Settle FTC Claims of Children’s Privacy Violations and Digital Dark Patterns, Which Continued for Years

Dec 28 2022

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached its largest administrative settlement to date: US$245 million. The proposed settlement is with Epic Games, Inc. (Epic Games), the company that developed and offers the multiplayer, online game Fortnite, and stems from Epic Games’ unlawful collection of personal information and illegal use of digital dark patterns to bill Fortnite users for unintentional in-game purchases. In total, Epic Games will be responsible for US$520 million, which includes a US$275 million penalty.

Apple Boots “Loot Box” Complaint for Good

Jan 13 2022

By: Ashley Song

Summary: The Northern District of California dismissed, without further leave to amend, a proposed class action against Apple, which claimed virtual loot boxes in the video game application “Brawl Stars” amounted to gambling.

Key Takeaways: In Taylor et al. v. Apple Inc., Rebecca Taylor and her underage son brought a proposed class action seeking to hold Apple liable for distributing game apps through the Apple App Store that they alleged include features that are legally equivalent to slot machines, as defined and prohibited under California law. The complaint advanced claims for relief under California’s Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act (“CLRA”).

Catagory:Electronics