Dutch consumer organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument (SMC) has launched a collective claim action against Epic Games, targeting Fortnite’s store design. SMC alleges that Epic used countdown timers in the Item Shop to create a “buy now or it disappears” sense of urgency, but some items continued being sold even after countdowns ended, leading young players to make purchases under pressure they wouldn’t normally make.
Dutch Authorities Already Fined Epic, Court Upheld Penalty
This isn’t the first time this has come up. The Dutch Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) previously determined that some of Epic’s Fortnite store practices were misleading and aggressive, issuing a 1.125 million euro fine. In January 2026, the Rotterdam District Court also upheld ACM’s ruling, requiring Epic to pay the fine while also demanding the removal of countdown timers and similar designs from the store.
SMC Now Seeking Over 100 Million Euros
SMC currently represents children and young players in the Netherlands who have played Fortnite, demanding Epic refund purchases made under this pressure, plus compensation for potential addiction risks and privacy issues the game may cause. The total claim exceeds 100 million euros, though this is the scale of compensation being sought by the consumer organization — not an amount Epic has already been court-ordered to pay.
No More Countdown Timers in the Store Now?
Epic states that Fortnite’s Item Shop no longer has these countdown timers, emphasizing the game offers parental controls, purchase verification, and refund features. The Netherlands also currently imposes additional restrictions on players under 18 — store items must be available for at least 48 hours before being shown to eligible players. In other words, this controversy over “whether kids are being pushed to spend by the store” isn’t over yet. Next, we’ll see if Epic and SMC can reach a settlement, or if the case goes to court.