Latest news with #Children'sOnlinePrivacyProtectionAct
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
TikTok faces a new threat to its existence
It all started in 2020 when the first Trump administration tried, but failed to use its emergency power to block TikTok in the country. Three years later, the Biden administration prohibited the use of TikTok on federal employees' devices. In 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or be banned in U.S. app stores and websites. Then-President Biden signed the bill into law. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Wait, but TikTok is still being used in the U.S., right? On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcement of the ban for an extra 75 days. The president extended the deadline two more times, with the latest extension set for September 17. In case you are not familiar with all of the TikTok ban drama, here's a brief explanation: the government is worried the Chinese government might access user data or manipulate the platform for its own purposes, because the owner of TikTok is ByteDance, a Chinese company. However, it turns out that these issues are not the only ones some American users and the government are worried about in relation to TikTok usage. A class action lawsuit against TikTok claims that the company illegally collected data from users younger than 13 years old using its special "Kids Mode," writes TopClass Actions. Related: T-Mobile, Apple may have a multibillion-dollar TikTok problem on their hands When a child younger than 13 truthfully enters their birthdate, a restricted TikTok mode is automatically activated. Under this mode, some features, such as uploading videos or messaging, should be unavailable. However, collecting personal data continues, even in Kids Mode. Personal information that is still being collected includes: Device and usage dataIP address and persistent identifiersEmail addresses submitted through the in-app "Report a Problem" form According to government investigators, under TikTok's child-friendly experience, personal and device data from minors is collected without proper consent, data is shared with third-party companies like Facebook, and it appears difficult for parents to delete their child's data. More Business News: Home Depot spends billions on major acquisitionRivian sends hard-nosed message to employeesPopular theme park denies major closure rumors Collecting and using this personal data for minors is in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Under the act, website operators are not allowed to knowingly collect, use, or share personal information from children under the age of 13 wihout a parent's consent. In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance over violating COPPA. "The Department is deeply concerned that TikTok has continued to collect and retain children's personal information despite a court order barring such conduct," stated Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. "With this action, the Department seeks to ensure that TikTok honors its obligation to protect children's privacy rights and parents' efforts to protect their children." Related: White House advisor sends hard-nosed message to Apple TikTok is considered one of the five biggest social media platforms, only behind Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. As of February 2024, it has been downloaded 4.7 billion times. DOJ and FTC believe that TikTok's alleged COPPA violations have resulted in millions of children under 13 using the regular TikTok app, allowing them access to adult content. The complaint seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief. "TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids' privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country," said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. Parents whose children under 13 have used the platform and who are not sure how their child's data was used might qualify to join a TikTok child privacy class action lawsuit investigation. TopClass Actions is inviting worried parents to join the investigation and see if your family may be eligible for compensation. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Time Magazine
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Fornite Players Could Be Due a Refund—How to File Your Claim
Players of Epic Games, Inc.'s popular video game Fortnite could be eligible for a refund from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). "The Federal Trade Commission is sending refunds totaling more than $126 million to players of the popular video game Fortnite who were charged for unwanted purchases while playing the game," the FTC said in a statement on Wednesday. This latest round of payments come after $72 million was issued out to players in the first round of refunds, sent in December 2024. The deadline for additional claims has been extended, allowing further eligible consumers, who have not yet submitted a claim, the chance to request a refund. The FTC's action against Epic involves "two separate record-breaking settlements." In December 2022, it was announced that Epic would have to pay $245 million in refunds for "tricking users into making unwanted charges." The FTC alleged that the gaming company 'used dark patterns to trick players into making unwanted purchases and let children rack up unauthorized charges without any parental involvement.' The FTC further alleged that Fortnite's 'counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration' aided in these unwanted purchases. It was also announced that Epic would be required to pay a $275 million penalty for "violating" the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Epic issued a statement regarding the settlement in December 2022. 'The video game industry is a place of fast-moving innovation, where player expectations are high and new ideas are paramount,' the statement read. 'Statutes written decades ago don't specify how gaming ecosystems should operate. The laws have not changed, but their application has evolved and long-standing industry practices are no longer enough.' The company went on to say: "Over the past few years, we've been making changes to ensure our ecosystem meets the expectations of our players and regulators, which we hope will be a helpful guide for others in our industry." Here's what you need to know about whether you're eligible to file a claim and how you can go about doing that. Who is eligible to file a claim? If you filed a claim after Feb. 14, 2025, you don't need to do anything else right now, per the FTC's instruction, as they are "still reviewing claims filed after that date and will provide more information soon." For those who haven't already filed, Fortnite players who were charged for 'unwanted purchases' may be eligible to seek a refund. The first eligible party is someone who was charged 'in-game currency' for items they did not want, between January 2017 and September 2022. The second is a parent whose child made charges in Fortnite using their credit card, without their knowledge, between January 2017 and November 2018. The third is a player who was locked out of their account when they complained to their credit card company about 'wrongful charges' between January 2017 and September 2022. Players of all ages are eligible for the refund, but the FTC stipulates that those under 18 must have a parent or guardian fill out the claimant form on their behalf. The refund is also currently only available to players in the United States. When is the deadline to make a claim and apply for a refund? The FTC has reopened the claiming process for eligible people to submit a refund request. People now have until July 9 to file a claim. How can you apply for a refund? Eligible persons can apply for a refund via the official Fortnite refund website, using either a claim number sent to their email address or their Epic Games account ID. In December 2024, the FTC said the average refund amount that an individual would receive was $114, but it now says that the amount of each refund depends on multiple factors, including how many people file a claim. When can you expect to receive payment? The next round of refunds are expected to be sent to players in 2026, after all claims are validated. Claimants can reach a representative through the email admin@ or by calling number 1-833-915-0880, if they have questions about their payment status. The refunds are due to be sent by check or via PayPal from the FTC. It's recommended that successful claimants cash checks within 90 days and redeem the PayPal payment within 30 days.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
Last chance to claim your Fortnite refund – Act fast or risk missing out on free cash
If you or your child made an unintended purchase in Fortnite over the past few years, there's still time to claim a refund, but the clock is ticking. Last chance to get your Fortnite refund The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has extended the deadline for filing a claim related to unwanted Fortnite purchases , as reported by TechRadar. While the original deadline was February 14, the new and final date to submit a claim is July 9, according to the report. So far, the FTC has already distributed $126 million in refunds to players who submitted valid claims by the earlier deadline, as reported by TechRadar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You might be interested Undo If you've already filed a claim, there's no need to do anything else, but in case you haven't, there's still time to act quickly by filing the claim online through the FTC's website, as per the TechRadar report. ALSO READ: Rocket Lab stock skyrockets past 52-week high with 13% surge - what's fueling the rise? Live Events Who can get a refund? The FTC has mentioned that you can apply for a refund if you meet at least one of the following criteria, as compiled by TechRadar: You were charged in-game currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022 Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018 Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges ALSO READ: Worry for Jensen Huang's Nvidia? AMD stock skyrockets - what did CEO Lisa Su say that has investors cheering Who can file a claim? However, to submit the claim form, you must be at least 18 years old and above, so a parent or guardian can also complete the claim form on behalf of those under that age, as reported by TechRadar. Watch out for scams According to the report, the claims process is only open for those in the United States, while the FTC has also warned against potential refund scams, reiterating the fact that it will never charge in order to file a claim. "Don't pay anyone who promises you an FTC refund in exchange for a fee," as quoted in the report. ALSO READ: Top economist warns: US faces a crisis worse than recession — here's what could be coming Why is Epic Games refunding players? The refunds stem from a 2022 settlement between the FTC and Epic Games, Fortnite's developer, according to the report. Epic Games was accused of using deceptive design tactics, which are called 'dark patterns,' to trick players into making unintended purchases, according to the report. The company was also charged with violating children's privacy laws, which is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), as per the TechRadar report. FTC says kids were targeted FTC chair Lina M. Khan said previously that, "Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children," as quoted in the report. Khan also said, "Protecting the public, and especially children, from online privacy invasions and dark patterns is a top priority for the Commission, and these enforcement actions make clear to businesses that the FTC is cracking down on these unlawful practices," quoted TechRadar in its report. FAQs Am I too late to file my Fortnite refund claim? Not yet. The deadline is now July 9, 2025. If you're eligible, file online before then. Can I still get a refund if my child made the purchase? Yes. If your child made charges without your consent, you can still file a claim.
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Newsweek
Parents Have Two More Weeks to Claim FTC Refunds from Fortnite
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Parents and Fortnite players have two more weeks to apply for a refund from Fortnite maker Epic Games, after the gaming giant was alleged to be violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by the FTC and subsequently entered into a settlement. Epic Games was accused by the FTC of "unlawfully [charging] players for unwanted purchases, [letting] children rack up unauthorized charges without their parents' permission," and more. The company agreed to pay a penalty of $520 million in 2022, and $245 million of that money is being used to refund some of those purchases to players in the US. Players engaging in combat in a promotional screenshot for Fortnite. Players engaging in combat in a promotional screenshot for Fortnite. Epic Games The first round of payouts came last year, with $72 million being paid out initially, rising to $126 million refunded to 969,173 players in the second round, which is set to pay out soon. Affected players can apply for a third round of payments, set to be paid out later this year and early next year, but they need to act quickly, as applications close on July 9, 2025. Who's Eligible for a Fortnite Refund? In order to be eligible for a Fortnite refund, you need to meet one or more of the following requirements: You were charged in-game currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022 Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018 Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges You also need to be a resident of the US, and to complete a claim form you need to be at least 18 years of age. Players under 18 are encouraged to get a parent or guardian to complete a claim for them. How to Apply for a Fortnite Refund To apply for a Fortnite refund, double check you meet the eligibility requirements above. You'll then need to go to the Fortnite Refund File a Claim website, and enter your information, including a claim number if you've received one, or your Epic Account ID. To find your Epic Account ID, you can follow the steps on the Epic Games website, which tells you how to find your Epic Account ID on the web, in-game in Fortnite, Fall Guys, or Rocket League, or in the Epic Games launcher files. You must complete this claim by July 9, 2025, otherwise you risk missing out on a refund.
Express Tribune
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Fortnite refund: How can you get yours after FTC announces $126m settlement, find out full process
Fortnite players who were wrongly charged for unwanted in-game purchases are set to receive a share of a $126 million refund this week, following a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The refunds stem from a $245 million agreement reached between the FTC and Fortnite's developer, Epic Games, over allegations of deceptive online practices that led to players, including minors, being tricked into making unauthorised purchases. FTC initially announced the settlement in December 2022, marking it as the largest refund the agency had ever issued in a gaming industry case. The settlement follows accusations that Epic Games misled consumers into making in-game transactions they otherwise wouldn't have made. FTC also announced it will issue nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to those who submitted valid claims, following an earlier round of payments in December 2022 totalling over $22 million. For Fortnite players seeking compensation, the FTC has set up a dedicated website where they can confirm their eligibility for a refund. The original deadline for filing claims was February 14, but the agency has now extended it to July 9. Players who have already submitted a claim after February 14 need not take further action. Those receiving checks are advised to cash them within 90 days, while PayPal refunds must be accepted within 30 days. To apply for a refund, players will need their claim number or Epic Account ID. For those under 18, a parent or guardian will need to submit the claim on their behalf. Players on social media have shared screenshots, confirming their refund amounts. Just got my Fortnite epic games refund — NATE (@NATERERUN) June 25, 2025 WE SO UP THANK YOU FORTNITE EPIC GAMES (I spent way more then that 😭💔) — Purdy (@Purdy6969) June 25, 2025 Fortnite is STILL paying us 💀 Did you file a FTC v Epic Games claim last year? More people are reporting they're starting to receive their payments! I totally forgot about mine lmao — Frugal Season (@Frugalszn) June 25, 2025 This action follows a separate 2023 agreement in which Epic Games was fined $275 million for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule, adding further scrutiny to the company's practices.
