Dutch Group Sues Epic for €100M Over Fortnite's Youth Targeting Tactics

Key points

• SMC represents Dutch players who were under 21 when they played Fortnite, seeking refunds and damages for misleading practices and unauthorized data collection.
• Research cited by SMC indicates that 60% of surveyed teenagers aged 16-19 did not perceive V-Bucks as real money, and 50% regretted purchases made under time pressure.
• Epic Games responded by stating that the Item Shop has no timer, requires PINs for real-money purchases, and restricts under-18 players from buying items available for less than 48 hours.
• The lawsuit follows a 2024 fine of €1.125 million by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) for unfair commercial practices, which was upheld by a Rotterdam court in January 2026.

Background

This legal action builds on previous regulatory scrutiny of Epic’s monetization strategies. In 2024, the ACM fined Epic €1.125 million for exploiting children’s vulnerabilities through item shop design, including the use of countdown timers and urgent purchase phrases. A Rotterdam court upheld this fine in January 2026. Additionally, SMC has previously filed collective lawsuits against other tech giants, such as Sony, for alleged exploitation of market dominance.

How outlets are covering it

GamesIndustry.biz and Insider Gaming both report the core facts of the lawsuit, including the €100 million demand and the specific allegations regarding V-Bucks perception and time pressure. However, GamesIndustry.biz provides more detail on the specific fines from the ACM and the Rotterdam court ruling, while Insider Gaming emphasizes the negotiation phase and Epic’s defensive statement regarding parental controls. Both outlets attribute the response to Epic spokesperson Phil Mahoney, but GamesIndustry.biz includes the full text of the statement detailing 'Cabined Accounts' and purchase cancellation features, whereas Insider Gaming summarizes these protections more briefly.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights growing legal and regulatory pressure on game developers to ensure ethical monetization practices, particularly regarding minors. If successful, it could set a precedent for consumer protection laws in the gaming industry, potentially forcing developers to redesign item shops and data collection methods to avoid liability for misleading young consumers.

What to watch

SMC has offered to negotiate a settlement with Epic Games. If negotiations fail, the group intends to proceed to court. Epic has not publicly accepted or rejected the negotiation offer but has reiterated its existing safety features for minors.