Tuesday, May 14th 2024
Epic Games Fined €1.1 Million in Netherlands Court for Misleading Underage Children
Epic Games, the developer behind the battle royale game Fortnite, has been slapped with a hefty fine of €1.1 million for violating EU consumer laws and pressuring youngsters into making in-game purchases. This decision was made by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) following an investigation into the company's practices. The ACM found that Epic Games had failed to provide clear information about the nature of its in-game purchases, particularly to children. This lack of transparency led to many young players making unintended purchases, which was a clear violation of EU consumer protection laws. The authority also noted that Epic Games' practices were designed to encourage children to make frequent purchases, which further deepens the issue. Netherlands' ACM claims that these were "dark patterns" which are prohibited in the EU. More specifically, these were "Get it now" or "Buy now" phrases that pushed youngsters into making choices. One fine is for illegal aggressive commercial practice that created fear of missing out (FOMO), which is calculated at €562,500. Another €562,500 is fined on countdown timers, which were used in the Item Shop for items that were still available even after the timer had reached zero. This totals €1.125 million.
In response to the fine, Epic Games has announced its intention to appeal the decision. This fine serves as a significant reminder to game developers of the importance of transparency and consumer protection in the gaming industry. As the popularity of online gaming continues to grow, companies must prioritize the well-being and financial security of their young players. The ACM's decision sends a strong message that such practices will not be tolerated and that companies must take responsibility for their actions. The fine is significant, and it will be interesting to see how Epic Games responds to the decision. In a statement for GameIndustry.biz, Epic Games has noted that "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."
Sources:
GameIndustry.biz, ACM
In response to the fine, Epic Games has announced its intention to appeal the decision. This fine serves as a significant reminder to game developers of the importance of transparency and consumer protection in the gaming industry. As the popularity of online gaming continues to grow, companies must prioritize the well-being and financial security of their young players. The ACM's decision sends a strong message that such practices will not be tolerated and that companies must take responsibility for their actions. The fine is significant, and it will be interesting to see how Epic Games responds to the decision. In a statement for GameIndustry.biz, Epic Games has noted that "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."
35 Comments on Epic Games Fined €1.1 Million in Netherlands Court for Misleading Underage Children
I know that people like to raq on the current Govt. but it was the Govt of Harper that opened the Canadian Housing market to the world. That is why there are encampments in cities like Edmonton and Winnipeg today. The feds have even tried to put money into housing and some of those people refused it like what it happening is better even where I live the hubris of our Premier had him refuse it like the lives of people are no better than political points.
GL with that.
Its an illusion that any system is perfect. Democracy isn't perfect. It requires work. Continuously. Freedom takes effort. If you don't like your democracy, look in the mirror. We have ourselves and only ourselves to blame for the corruption of it. Our own self-centric view on the world is the primary cause we stopped thinking about the collective which is inherent to any society. This happens in all democracies as people get their security, and their welfare, its also much more agreeable to just hide and not partake in society a whole lot - nothing's forcing you to.
Comfort is a bad thing, in that sense. So apparently, for people to get how good they have it, they need to first experience how bad it can get. Well, the trajectory is currently towards extremely bad, so you'll get your lesson soon enough.
Because the corporations are in bed with any government for so long, that I doub't any court decision/fine happens without prior "consulting" with company leadership/lawyers, about how much fine wouldn't be uncomfortable for them to pay.
None of the fines in the recent years were serious, and felt like a joke. Like Vya Domus have said, this all is a facade, an illusion of rights defence and legislation. Heck, the EU income is simply reliant on some sort of penalties and fining of giant multi-national corporations.
I'm sure, those fat old incompetent EU deputies, lawyers and legislators wouldn't exist without some kind of trickery behind the curtains. And this corruption is the reason why all this shit is still continues till this very day. Otherwise, it would have been ended long time ago, as it would be too expensive for compaties to neglect the law.
Consider commerce and its marketing. We're being fed lies everywhere, its the norm.
Again: the world is imperfect, humans are imperfect, and survival of the fittest is still a thing. It won't get better, getting by is a pretty good place to be.
The ugly part, that there's not a word about how ammoral this idea is, to scam people in general. Like you cannot scam kids, but the "pockets" that ensure these transactions in the first place- is all fine.Unfortunately, there are dozens of autocratic regimes, that being hailed and favored by so called "democratic" and most "developed" countries, which are also the wealthiest. They just use these regimes while they are profitable. And when the shit hits the fan, these "democratic" leaders, just show the pikachu face, and play a role of "innocent" and naЇve, like the were unaware of all the horror, these authocraties were doing for years.The "visible" part of the fines are not enough to hurt the company, for their malicious behaviour. But still is enought for legislating individuals, to stop the pursuit. No one knows where the fines money go to. And there's nothing stops the company pay EU officials, in behind the scenes.
I enjoy Genshin a ton, but unfortunately the whole gacha crap really is designed around the applying maximum fomo and to induce overspending. I only did what I did becausd at almost 3000 hours of gameplay I think it was relatively fair enough.
However, the penalty calibre isn't as problematic as the fact the penalty might never happen. Unless big corps learn that they cannot get away with that, we're in for a corrupt treat. Worldwide, Somalia included.
The law shouldn't be hardcore, the law should be impossible to escape. We in Russia have dreadly fines, prison sentences etc for misdemeanours you'd never consider that bad. The crime rate, however, doesn't fall because a lot of criminals can avoid being penalised: either by suboptimal detective work, or by bribes, or by attorneys' speeches, or simply because a beat cop decided, "freak it, I don't care."
I am genuinely asking.. Don't STEAM do the same?