Fortnite shop updated as Epic gets fined over microtransactions once again, this time for $1.2 million amid claims "children’s vulnerabilities were exploited"

GamesBattle RoyaleFortniteFortnite shop updated as Epic gets fined over microtransactions once again, this time for $1.2 million amid claims “children’s vulnerabilities were exploited"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesBattle RoyaleFortniteFortnite shop updated as Epic gets fined over microtransactions once again, this time for $1.2 million amid claims “children’s vulnerabilities were exploited"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Epic Games) For a brief moment I thought it was December 2022 again, because Fortnite maker Epic has been fined for microtransaction mechanics accused of exploiting children. But instead of the US Federal Trade Commission stinging the company for a net $520 million penalty, this time the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets has fined Epic for roughly $1.2 million over “unfair commercial practices aimed at children in Fortnite.” The ACMflaggedthe news earlier today, and Epic has put out its ownstatementnoting some changes but also disputing the decision. Last month, Epicannouncedthat cosmetic colors and tiers would be removed, and beginning in late May, Fortnite item shop timers would “instead display the player’s local time when the Item Shop will refresh and items may leave the Shop,” and “the date that an item will rotate out of the shop” would be added to the item description. It now appears this case partly prompted these shop updates. Today, the ACM said “Epic has informed ACM of its plans to implement several changes to Fortnite’s Item Shop in order to end the violation,” pointing to the same changes and agreeing that they would be enough to meet its standards. Additionally, Epic said today, “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.” “Through various design choices for its offerings in its Item Shop, Epic exploited the vulnerabilities of children,” the release reads. “This is in violation of the requirements of professional diligence.” Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more “Timers create a sense of scarcity,” the ACM says. “Children were thus put under pressure to make purchase decisions quickly, because they were under the impression that they would otherwise miss out on the items on offer.” The ACM gave Epic until June 10 to act on “a binding instruction” to, in so many words, clean up the item shop. Epic objected to the decision, arguing the report showed “significant factual errors about how Fortnite and the Item Shop operate” and that the mandated changes would “result in a poor experience for players.” It also points to Fortnite’s restricted “Cabined Account” system, aimed at users under 16, and parental controls such as a purchase PIN – which demonstrably weren’t enough to satisfy the Dutch authority on their own. Fortnite creator knows exactly how he would make the Fortnite movie, but says he can’t see it happening “anytime soon.” CATEGORIESPC GamingPS5Xbox Series XiPhoneAndroidPlatformsPlayStationXboxMobile Gaming CATEGORIES More about fortniteFortnite Mariah Carey Christmas crossover leaks, and it looks like the reveal will reference a fan-favorite meme she helped createHow to play Lego Fortnite Brick LifeLatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest► More about fortniteFortnite Mariah Carey Christmas crossover leaks, and it looks like the reveal will reference a fan-favorite meme she helped createHow to play Lego Fortnite Brick LifeLatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest► More about fortniteFortnite Mariah Carey Christmas crossover leaks, and it looks like the reveal will reference a 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2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”