- Employed addictive design techniques intended to maximize engagement and retention (e.g., variable-reward loops, Minecraft Marketplace, Minecoin microtransactions, achievement challenges, limited-time items, social features), even while aware of addiction risks;
- Used dark patterns to deceive players into making unintended purchases through confusing button configurations and interface designs;
- Failed to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13, in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”);
- Enabled default live text and voice communications that exposed children to bullying, harassment, and dangerous interactions;
- Covertly collected personal data through device fingerprinting, audio fingerprinting, persistent identifiers, and third-party trackers without user consent;
- Shared user data with third-party advertising and analytics companies without disclosure or consent.
Across multiple lawsuits and claims nationwide, plaintiffs are asserting that Minecraft constitutes an unsafe product due to its addictive design, manipulative monetization, and unlawful data collection practices, which caused addiction, psychological and physical harm, academic decline, financial losses, and privacy violations, among other damages.

