For millions of children, “Fortnite” is THE video game of recent years. Now the developers are paying a mega fine – because underage gamblers were exposed to great risks in the colorful world.
The games group Epic Games has reached an agreement with the US consumer protection authority FTC on a settlement worth 520 million dollars (around 491 million euros). The agency announced this on Monday.
This is a fine of 275 million dollars (259 million euros) and repayments to those affected totaling 245 million dollars (231 million euros) – both record values! A federal court has yet to approve the settlement.
According to the allegations, Epic Games collected the data of Fortnite players under the age of 13 without obtaining parental consent or informing the parents as required by law.
Also cases in Germany
Epic Games also harmed children and young people by bringing them into contact with adult players in Fortnite chats.
In Germany, too, there were cases in which pedophiles incited children to engage in sexual activity as part of the game. Last year in Hesse, for example, an educator trainee was on trial who had children send him naked photos in exchange for paid “Fortnite” extras (BILD reported).
“Children and teens have experienced bullying, threats, harassment and exposure to dangerous and psychologically traumatizing issues such as suicide at Fortnite,” the FTC said. As part of the comparison, Epic Games will now change its default settings to better protect minors.
The authority also accuses Epic Games of using tricks to bring minors and adults to “Fortnite” purchases that they actually did not intend to do.
For children, “unauthorized costs were incurred without any involvement of the parents,” the FTC explains.
Anonymous and free counseling offers
Do you suspect that a child is being mistreated or abused in your environment? Have you seen something that worries you? Then you can (anonymously) contact the “Sexual Abuse Help Line”: 0800 22 55 530.
Children and young people who have experienced abuse can get support from Monday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 116 111. On the website there is also the possibility to chat with the consultants.
Anyone who has the feeling that they have pedophilic tendencies can find contacts in the “Don’t become a perpetrator” project run by the Berlin Charité. There is free information on the website and on 030 450 529 450. Medical confidentiality applies.