#online fraud detection

[mohsinshield]

For online businesses, there is a dire need for effective fraud prevention measures to dilute the impact of fraud.

Digital platforms are exposed to fraud more than ever!! Online fraud has become a common phenomenon and fraudsters are becoming more and more harmful with every passing day. The traditional fraud prevention strategies & solutions are not living up to the current fraud trends thus forcing platforms to look towards Device Fingerprinting and AI / ML-based fraud detection solutions.

[ritiknegi12-blog]

Best Credit Card Payment Companies

Credit card processing companies play a key role in secure transactions. WebPays, one of the best credit card payment companies, offers payment solutions with advanced security measures, fraud detection, and multi-currency support. We help businesses stay compliant while processing payments globally. Contact us to upgrade your payment system.

[mychlapci]

the more i see about the american election the crazier it seems to me. how come it's not illegal to post pictures of your ballot. isnt a non-citizen voting trump because they weren't asked their voter id still a crime. why doesnt your state/city automatically register you to vote. why is voter registration allowed to LIE to you about your voter registration status.

[fincrif]

What Are the Signs of a Fake Personal Loan Offer?

In today's digital era, applying for a personal loan has become easier than ever. However, with convenience comes risk, as fraudulent loan offers have surged, targeting unsuspecting borrowers. Scammers create fake personal loan schemes, tricking people into paying upfront fees, sharing sensitive information, or falling for unrealistic offers.

If you’re planning to apply for a personal loan, it’s crucial to identify the warning signs of a fake loan offer to avoid financial fraud. In this article, we’ll explore how scammers operate, the red flags to watch out for, and how to protect yourself from loan scams.

1. How Do Fake Personal Loan Scams Work?

Fraudulent loan providers often operate online, using deceptive tactics to lure borrowers with fake promises and misleading terms. Their goal is to collect personal data, charge upfront fees, or steal money before disappearing.

✅ Common Tactics of Fake Loan Scams:

Offering loans with zero credit checks or guaranteed approval.

Demanding upfront payments before loan disbursal.

Using fake websites, emails, or social media ads.

Pressuring borrowers to act urgently.

Asking for bank account details, Aadhaar, or PAN without proper verification.

📌 Tip: Legitimate lenders always follow a structured loan approval process and never demand upfront fees.

2. Signs of a Fake Personal Loan Offer

To avoid falling victim to fraud, look for these red flags before applying for a personal loan:

🚨 1. No Credit Check Required

Scammers claim that credit history does not matter.

Real lenders always evaluate creditworthiness before approving loans.

🚨 2. Upfront Fees or Processing Charges Before Approval

Fraudulent lenders demand advance payments for processing, insurance, or taxes.

Legitimate lenders deduct processing fees from the loan amount, not beforehand.

🚨 3. Guaranteed Approval Without Verification

Scammers promise 100% approval, even for those with bad credit.

Authentic lenders assess your income, credit score, and eligibility before approval.

🚨 4. Suspiciously Low Interest Rates

Unrealistic 0% or extremely low-interest offers are often scams.

Compare rates with recognized banks or NBFCs before applying.

🚨 5. No Physical Office or Contact Details

Fake lenders often operate without a registered office address.

Genuine financial institutions have customer service numbers, office locations, and official websites.

📌 Tip: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify lender credentials before proceeding.

3. How to Identify Fake Lenders and Websites

Fraudsters often create fake loan websites and impersonate reputable financial institutions. Here’s how to spot a fraudulent lender:

✅ Check the Website URL:

Fake websites may have spelling errors or unusual domain names (e.g., “loan-company.net” instead of “loancompany.com”).

Look for HTTPS encryption in the URL for security.

✅ Verify the Lender’s Registration:

In India, all legitimate lenders must be registered with RBI (Reserve Bank of India) or operate as an NBFC.

Search for the lender on the RBI website to confirm its authenticity.

✅ Look for Customer Reviews:

Search for Google reviews, Trustpilot ratings, or complaints on consumer forums.

If multiple people report scams, avoid the lender.

📌 Tip: Always apply for loans through official bank websites or recognized NBFC portals.

4. What to Do If You Receive a Fake Loan Offer?

If you suspect a personal loan scam, take immediate action:

✅ 1. Do Not Share Any Personal Information

Avoid providing bank details, Aadhaar, PAN, or salary slips to unknown lenders.

Scammers misuse these details for identity theft or fraudulent transactions.

✅ 2. Report the Scam to Authorities

File a complaint with RBI’s Ombudsman, Cybercrime India (cybercrime.gov.in), or consumer protection agencies.

If money has been stolen, report it to your bank and local police station.

✅ 3. Warn Others About the Fraud

Share scam alerts on social media, financial forums, or complaint boards.

This helps prevent others from falling for the same personal loan scam.

📌 Tip: If a fraudulent lender has accessed your financial details, monitor your bank statements and credit report for any suspicious transactions.

5. How to Apply for a Personal Loan Safely?

To ensure you get a genuine personal loan, follow these precautions:

✅ 1. Apply Only Through Trusted Lenders

Use banks, NBFCs, or RBI-registered financial institutions.

Avoid offers from unknown companies on social media or WhatsApp.

✅ 2. Read the Loan Agreement Carefully

Check for hidden charges, prepayment penalties, and fluctuating interest rates.

Never sign a blank or incomplete loan document.

✅ 3. Check for Secure Payment Methods

Legitimate lenders never ask for payments via Paytm, Google Pay, or direct bank transfers before approval.

Processing fees should always be deducted from the loan amount.

✅ 4. Verify Customer Support & Registration Details

A genuine lender will have physical offices, helplines, and email support.

Fake lenders often have unreachable phone numbers or vague contact details.

📌 Tip: Always cross-check loan terms with at least two or three legitimate lenders before proceeding.

Final Thoughts: Stay Alert & Avoid Personal Loan Scams

While a personal loan can be a great financial tool, fraudulent loan offers can lead to serious financial losses. By staying informed and vigilant, you can avoid falling victim to scams.

🚀 Key Takeaways: ✔ Never pay upfront fees for loan processing. ✔ Avoid lenders offering guaranteed approval without verification. ✔ Always apply through official bank or NBFC websites. ✔ Verify the lender’s registration with RBI before proceeding. ✔ Report fraudulent loan offers to cybercrime and financial regulators.

By following these precautions, you can secure a safe and hassle-free personal loan without falling prey to fraudsters.

For expert guidance and genuine personal loan solutions, visit www.fincrif.com today!

[ctcnewsca]

🇨🇦 Ontario woman loses $26,820 to a fake CRA website scam, highlighting the dangers of spoofed sites targeting unsuspecting victims. 🇨🇦 Learn how to spot fake websites, protect your finances, and stay safe from cybercriminals 👇🏻

[gridlines000]

RC Status in India: How to Check Vehicle Registration Online

In India, every vehicle must have a valid Registration Certificate (RC) issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The RC status reflects the current state of a vehicle’s registration—whether it’s active, expired, under transfer, blacklisted, or scrapped.

Why Is RC Status Important?

Checking RC status is essential for both individuals and businesses. It helps:

Confirm vehicle ownership and authenticity

Verify registration validity before purchase or loan approval

Detect fraud, theft, or tampering

Ensure compliance for insurance, fleet deployment, or resale

How to Check RC Status Online

VAHAN Portal Visit Parivahan.gov.in, navigate to “Know Your Vehicle Details,” enter your vehicle registration number and the displayed CAPTCHA. You’ll see key data like owner name, fuel type, vehicle class, RC expiry, insurance, and PUC.

State RTO Websites Some state RTOs have their own online portals for RC verification. These are useful for region-specific updates or pending transfer status.

    3. Gridlines RC Verification API: Fast, Accurate, Scalable. 

Manual checks are fine for individuals—but businesses need real-time, bulk verification. That’s where the Gridlines RC Verification API comes in:

✅ Fetches real-time RC status from the VAHAN database ✅ Lookup by registration number or chassis number ✅ Detects issues like scrapped, stolen, or hypothecated vehicles ✅ Seamless API integration into digital journeys (onboarding, lending, insurance) ✅ Reduces fraud and boosts compliance across industries

Whether you're an insurer, lender, logistics aggregator, or marketplace—Gridlines helps you verify RC status instantly and securely.

Final Thoughts

Regularly checking RC status ensures legal compliance, helps avoid fraud, and builds trust in any vehicle-related transaction. With tools like Gridlines' RC Verification API, this process is now faster, smarter, and easier than ever.

[balu88r-blog]

UPI Payment : ಆ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ನಂಬರ್‌ಗಳಿಗೆ UPI ಪಾವತಿ ಬಂದ್! ಕೇಂದ್ರದಿಂದ ಹೊಸ ರೂಲ್ಸ್ ಜಾರಿ!

UPI Payment -ದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಪಾವತಿಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾದಂತೆ, ಆನ್‌ಲೈನ್ ವಂಚನೆಗಳೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಇದಕ್ಕೊಂದು ಬ್ರೇಕ್ ಹಾಕಲು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಮಹತ್ವದ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಕೈಗೊಂಡಿದೆ. ಇನ್ಮುಂದೆ ಕೆಲವು ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ನಂಬರ್‌ಗಳಿಗೆ ಯುಪಿಐ (UPI) ಮೂಲಕ ಪಾವತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ! ಹೌದು, ಹಣಕಾಸು ವಂಚನೆಗಳನ್ನು ತಡೆಯುವ ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಟೆಲಿಕಾಂ ಸಚಿವಾಲಯ ‘ಫೈನಾನ್ಶಿಯಲ್ ರಿಸ್ಕ್ ಇಂಡೆಕ್ಸ್ (FRI) ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನ’ವನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯಿಸಿದೆ. ಇದರಿಂದ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಆನ್‌ಲೈನ್…

[webpayspg]

Boost Transaction Security with Two-Factor Authentication

Online payments move fast, but security is key. This blog covers how two-factor authentication (2FA) protects transactions from fraud, builds trust, and helps with compliance. It also shares tips to use 2FA without slowing down the checkout. Read the whole blog to know more.

[mohsinshield]

Businesses Can Handle 100 Problems—Until One Fraud Hits.

Once fraud hits, every other business problem suddenly feels small—because fraud impacts every aspect of your business and causes massive damage in very little time.

Fraud ain't a single problem or a one-time event. It brings 100 new problems that businesses must deal with instantaneously or else they'll be hit so hard that it'll be impossible to return back from it.

How often we've seen well-established businesses hit by fraud and never been able to cope with it. Businesses need to have well-sought fraud prevention strategies in place to deal with fraud and fraudsters head on.

Image Credits: AppSense Mohsin

[greatonlinetrainingsposts]

Enhancing Fraud Detection with SAS: Leveraging AI and Machine Learning for Security

Fraud has become a growing concern in industries such as banking, healthcare, and e-commerce. As digital transactions increase, so do fraudulent activities, making it critical for businesses to deploy advanced fraud detection solutions. SAS, a leader in data analytics, provides cutting-edge fraud detection capabilities using AI and machine learning. By leveraging these technologies, businesses can proactively identify suspicious activities, mitigate risks, and protect their assets.

The Growing Threat of Fraud

Financial fraud, identity theft, and cybercrimes have seen a sharp rise due to increased online transactions. Traditional rule-based fraud detection systems often fail to keep up with evolving threats. This is where SAS-powered AI-driven fraud detection solutions make a significant impact by analyzing large datasets and detecting anomalies in real-time.

How SAS Uses AI and Machine Learning for Fraud Detection

SAS fraud detection solutions incorporate AI and machine learning to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Key methodologies include:

Anomaly Detection – SAS algorithms identify unusual patterns in financial transactions, flagging potentially fraudulent activities.

Predictive Modeling – AI-powered models assess risk scores based on historical data, allowing businesses to take preemptive measures.

Behavioral Analytics – SAS tracks customer behavior and detects deviations that may indicate fraud attempts.

Network Analysis – SAS analyzes connections between accounts to uncover hidden fraud networks.

SAS Tutorials for Effective Fraud Detection

Professionals looking to master SAS for fraud detection can explore SAS Programming Tutorial resources. These tutorials provide step-by-step guidance on using machine learning models for fraud analysis, risk assessment, and predictive analytics.

Industries Benefiting from SAS Fraud Detection

Several industries are leveraging SAS-powered fraud detection models to enhance security:

Banking and Finance – Banks use SAS AI-driven solutions to detect fraudulent transactions, unauthorized access, and money laundering.

Healthcare – SAS helps identify insurance fraud by analyzing claim patterns and medical billing data.

E-commerce – Retailers use SAS to prevent online payment fraud, fake reviews, and account takeovers.

Advantages of Using SAS for Fraud Detection

Real-Time Monitoring – SAS enables businesses to detect fraud as it happens, reducing financial losses.

Scalability – The platform processes large datasets efficiently, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.

AI-Powered Insights – SAS integrates machine learning algorithms to enhance fraud detection accuracy.

Regulatory Compliance – SAS ensures businesses meet industry regulations related to fraud prevention.

The Future of SAS in Fraud Detection

As fraud tactics evolve, SAS continues to advance its AI-driven fraud detection solutions. Businesses investing in SAS fraud analytics can strengthen their security measures and reduce financial risks. Those interested in learning more can explore SAS Tutorial for Beginners to gain foundational knowledge in fraud detection techniques.

[bob3160]

Can You Spot the Phishing Email

[fincrif]

What Are the Consequences of Lying on a Personal Loan Application?

Introduction

A personal loan is a popular financial tool that helps individuals manage various expenses, such as medical emergencies, home renovations, or debt consolidation. However, to secure loan approval, some borrowers may feel tempted to exaggerate their income, falsify employment details, or hide existing debts on their loan applications. While this may seem like a harmless way to increase loan eligibility, lying on a personal loan application has serious consequences.

Financial institutions conduct thorough verifications before approving loans, and any misrepresentation of facts can lead to loan rejection, legal penalties, or even criminal charges. In this article, we will explore the risks and consequences of providing false information on a personal loan application and how borrowers can ensure a successful loan approval process through legitimate means.

1. Why Do Borrowers Lie on Personal Loan Applications?

Many borrowers resort to misrepresenting information in their loan applications for various reasons, including:

a) To Increase Loan Eligibility

Some borrowers inflate their income to qualify for a higher loan amount.

They may also falsify employment details to appear more financially stable.

b) To Hide Existing Debts

Borrowers with multiple outstanding loans may omit existing liabilities to avoid rejection.

Some may underreport debts to qualify for better interest rates.

c) To Improve Creditworthiness

Some individuals may falsify credit history or use forged credit reports to appear more creditworthy.

Manipulating credit scores can lead to serious financial repercussions.

d) To Get a Loan Despite Poor Credit History

Borrowers with bad credit scores may use false information to bypass lender scrutiny.

They may also use fake co-applicants or guarantors to strengthen their application.

2. Consequences of Lying on a Personal Loan Application

Lying on a personal loan application may seem like a small risk, but the consequences can be severe. Financial institutions follow strict verification processes, and any detected falsification can result in legal and financial repercussions.

a) Loan Rejection

Lenders cross-check income details, employment records, and credit reports before approving a loan.

If discrepancies are found, the application is immediately rejected.

A rejected loan application can negatively impact credit scores and reduce future borrowing chances.

b) Legal Action and Criminal Charges

Providing false information on a loan application is considered fraud.

Lenders may take legal action against the borrower, leading to fines or even criminal charges.

Some cases may result in imprisonment under fraud-related laws, depending on the severity of the falsification.

c) Negative Impact on Credit Score

When a loan is rejected due to fraudulent information, the credit score takes a hit.

Lenders report fraudulent activities to credit bureaus (CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, etc.), making it harder for the borrower to secure future loans.

A lower credit score can increase interest rates on future borrowing and reduce financial flexibility.

d) Blacklisting by Financial Institutions

Borrowers caught lying may be blacklisted by banks and NBFCs, preventing them from accessing credit in the future.

Some lenders share fraud-related data with other financial institutions, making it difficult to obtain loans from any lender.

e) Risk of Loan Recall

If a borrower is found guilty of providing false information after loan approval, the lender can demand immediate repayment.

Some lenders may cancel the loan agreement, forcing the borrower to repay the entire amount in a short time.

f) Increased Scrutiny on Future Loan Applications

Borrowers who have lied on loan applications in the past may face higher scrutiny in future loan approvals.

Banks may require additional verification and collateral, making the borrowing process more complicated.

3. How Lenders Detect False Information

Banks and NBFCs use multiple methods to verify loan applications and detect fraudulent claims. Some of these include:

a) Income and Employment Verification

Lenders contact employers directly to verify employment details and salary structure.

Income proof, such as salary slips, bank statements, and tax returns, is cross-checked.

b) Credit Report Analysis

Lenders access credit reports from bureaus like CIBIL, Equifax, and Experian.

Any discrepancies in outstanding debts, previous loan applications, or defaults are flagged.

c) Bank Statement and Transaction Review

Bank statements submitted by borrowers are carefully analyzed.

Any inconsistency between declared income and actual banking transactions can lead to suspicion.

d) Address and Identity Verification

Financial institutions perform physical verification of borrower addresses.

Fake address proofs or altered documents can be easily detected through verification agencies.

e) Digital Verification and AI-Based Fraud Detection

Many banks now use AI-driven fraud detection systems to identify inconsistencies.

Digital footprints, social media activity, and transaction histories are used to assess authenticity.

4. How to Ensure a Genuine and Successful Loan Application?

Instead of resorting to false information, borrowers should follow ethical and legal ways to improve their chances of personal loan approval.

a) Maintain a Strong Credit Score

Pay EMIs and credit card bills on time to build a positive credit history.

Check and correct any errors in the credit report before applying for a loan.

b) Disclose All Financial Details Honestly

Provide accurate income, employment, and liability details.

Transparency builds trust and increases the chances of loan approval at favorable terms.

c) Apply for a Loan Amount Within Your Means

Borrow only what you can comfortably repay based on your income and expenses.

Avoid inflating income figures to secure a higher loan.

d) Consider Adding a Co-Applicant or Guarantor

If your income is insufficient, apply with a co-borrower or guarantor to improve eligibility.

A co-applicant with a stable income and good credit score can strengthen the loan application.

e) Opt for Secured Loans If Needed

If unable to qualify for an unsecured personal loan, consider secured loans by offering collateral.

Secured loans have lower interest rates and less stringent eligibility criteria.

f) Seek Professional Financial Guidance

If unsure about your eligibility, consult a financial advisor for guidance.

They can help you choose the right loan type, tenure, and lender based on your financial profile.

Conclusion

Lying on a personal loan application may seem like a shortcut to loan approval, but the risks far outweigh the potential benefits. Providing false information can lead to loan rejection, legal consequences, a damaged credit score, and blacklisting by financial institutions.

Borrowers should always disclose accurate financial details and explore ethical ways to improve loan eligibility. By maintaining a strong credit profile, borrowing within limits, and applying with transparency, borrowers can secure personal loans with ease while safeguarding their financial future.

[adambernard55]

The Power of AI in Modern Ecommerce

A New Era of Ecommerce and Online Shopping The ecommerce landscape is constantly evolving, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this metamorphosis. From personalized recommendations to predictive analytics, AI is revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers and operate in the digital marketplace. 1. Personalized Recommendations: A Tailored Experience Gone are the days…

[lavandamichelle]

Leveraging AI to Launch and Scale Your Online Business

🚀 Unlock the full potential of your online business with AI! From market analysis to customer service, discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionize your entrepreneurial journey. #AI #OnlineBusiness #Entrepreneurship

In today’s digital age, starting an online business has never been more accessible. However, with increasing competition and evolving consumer expectations, entrepreneurs must leverage every available tool to succeed. One such tool that holds immense potential is artificial intelligence (AI). From market research to customer service and beyond, AI can revolutionize the way you launch and scale…

[treasure-mimic]

So, let me try and put everything together here, because I really do think it needs to be talked about.

Today, Unity announced that it intends to apply a fee to use its software. Then it got worse.

For those not in the know, Unity is the most popular free to use video game development tool, offering a basic version for individuals who want to learn how to create games or create independently alongside paid versions for corporations or people who want more features. It's decent enough at this job, has issues but for the price point I can't complain, and is the idea entry point into creating in this medium, it's a very important piece of software.

But speaking of tools, the CEO is a massive one. When he was the COO of EA, he advocated for using, what out and out sounds like emotional manipulation to coerce players into microtransactions.

"A consumer gets engaged in a property, they might spend 10, 20, 30, 50 hours on the game and then when they're deep into the game they're well invested in it. We're not gouging, but we're charging and at that point in time the commitment can be pretty high."

He also called game developers who don't discuss monetization early in the planning stages of development, quote, "fucking idiots".

So that sets the stage for what might be one of the most bald-faced greediest moves I've seen from a corporation in a minute. Most at least have the sense of self-preservation to hide it.

A few hours ago, Unity posted this announcement on the official blog.

Effective January 1, 2024, we will introduce a new Unity Runtime Fee that’s based on game installs. We will also add cloud-based asset storage, Unity DevOps tools, and AI at runtime at no extra cost to Unity subscription plans this November. We are introducing a Unity Runtime Fee that is based upon each time a qualifying game is downloaded by an end user. We chose this because each time a game is downloaded, the Unity Runtime is also installed. Also we believe that an initial install-based fee allows creators to keep the ongoing financial gains from player engagement, unlike a revenue share.

Now there are a few red flags to note in this pitch immediately.

Unity is planning on charging a fee on all games which use its engine.

This is a flat fee per number of installs.

They are using an always online runtime function to determine whether a game is downloaded.

There is just so many things wrong with this that it's hard to know where to start, not helped by this FAQ which doubled down on a lot of the major issues people had.

I guess let's start with what people noticed first. Because it's using a system baked into the software itself, Unity would not be differentiating between a "purchase" and a "download". If someone uninstalls and reinstalls a game, that's two downloads. If someone gets a new computer or a new console and downloads a game already purchased from their account, that's two download. If someone pirates the game, the studio will be asked to pay for that download.

Q: How are you going to collect installs? A: We leverage our own proprietary data model. We believe it gives an accurate determination of the number of times the runtime is distributed for a given project. Q: Is software made in unity going to be calling home to unity whenever it's ran, even for enterprice licenses? A: We use a composite model for counting runtime installs that collects data from numerous sources. The Unity Runtime Fee will use data in compliance with GDPR and CCPA. The data being requested is aggregated and is being used for billing purposes. Q: If a user reinstalls/redownloads a game / changes their hardware, will that count as multiple installs? A: Yes. The creator will need to pay for all future installs. The reason is that Unity doesn’t receive end-player information, just aggregate data. Q: What's going to stop us being charged for pirated copies of our games? A: We do already have fraud detection practices in our Ads technology which is solving a similar problem, so we will leverage that know-how as a starting point. We recognize that users will have concerns about this and we will make available a process for them to submit their concerns to our fraud compliance team.

This is potentially related to a new system that will require Unity Personal developers to go online at least once every three days.

Starting in November, Unity Personal users will get a new sign-in and online user experience. Users will need to be signed into the Hub with their Unity ID and connect to the internet to use Unity. If the internet connection is lost, users can continue using Unity for up to 3 days while offline. More details to come, when this change takes effect.

It's unclear whether this requirement will be attached to any and all Unity games, though it would explain how they're theoretically able to track "the number of installs", and why the methodology for tracking these installs is so shit, as we'll discuss later.

Unity claims that it will only leverage this fee to games which surpass a certain threshold of downloads and yearly revenue.

Only games that meet the following thresholds qualify for the Unity Runtime Fee: Unity Personal and Unity Plus: Those that have made $200,000 USD or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 200,000 lifetime game installs. Unity Pro and Unity Enterprise: Those that have made $1,000,000 USD or more in the last 12 months AND have at least 1,000,000 lifetime game installs.

They don't say how they're going to collect information on a game's revenue, likely this is just to say that they're only interested in squeezing larger products (games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, Fate Grand Order, Among Us, and Fall Guys) and not every 2 dollar puzzle platformer that drops on Steam. But also, these larger products have the easiest time porting off of Unity and the most incentives to, meaning realistically those heaviest impacted are going to be the ones who just barely meet this threshold, most of them indie developers.

Aggro Crab Games, one of the first to properly break this story, points out that systems like the Xbox Game Pass, which is already pretty predatory towards smaller developers, will quickly inflate their "lifetime game installs" meaning even skimming the threshold of that 200k revenue, will be asked to pay a fee per install, not a percentage on said revenue.

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Hey Gamers!

Today, Unity (the engine we use to make our games) announced that they'll soon be taking a fee from developers for every copy of the game installed over a certain threshold - regardless of how that copy was obtained.

Guess who has a somewhat highly anticipated game coming to Xbox Game Pass in 2024? That's right, it's us and a lot of other developers.

That means Another Crab's Treasure will be free to install for the 25 million Game Pass subscribers. If a fraction of those users download our game, Unity could take a fee that puts an enormous dent in our income and threatens the sustainability of our business.

And that's before we even think about sales on other platforms, or pirated installs of our game, or even multiple installs by the same user!!!

This decision puts us and countless other studios in a position where we might not be able to justify using Unity for our future titles. If these changes aren't rolled back, we'll be heavily considering abandoning our wealth of Unity expertise we've accumulated over the years and starting from scratch in a new engine. Which is really something we'd rather not do.

On behalf of the dev community, we're calling on Unity to reverse the latest in a string of shortsighted decisions that seem to prioritize shareholders over their product's actual users.

I fucking hate it here.

-Aggro Crab - END DESCRIPTION]

That fee, by the way, is a flat fee. Not a percentage, not a royalty. This means that any games made in Unity expecting any kind of success are heavily incentivized to cost as much as possible.

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A table listing the various fees by number of Installs over the Install Threshold vs. version of Unity used, ranging from $0.01 to $0.20 per install. END DESCRIPTION]

Basic elementary school math tells us that if a game comes out for $1.99, they will be paying, at maximum, 10% of their revenue to Unity, whereas jacking the price up to $59.99 lowers that percentage to something closer to 0.3%. Obviously any company, especially any company in financial desperation, which a sudden anchor on all your revenue is going to create, is going to choose the latter.

Furthermore, and following the trend of "fuck anyone who doesn't ask for money", Unity helpfully defines what an install is on their main site.

While I'm looking at this page as it exists now, it currently says

The installation and initialization of a game or app on an end user’s device as well as distribution via streaming is considered an “install.” Games or apps with substantially similar content may be counted as one project, with installs then aggregated to calculate the Unity Runtime Fee.

However, I saw a screenshot saying something different, and utilizing the Wayback Machine we can see that this phrasing was changed at some point in the few hours since this announcement went up. Instead, it reads:

The installation and initialization of a game or app on an end user’s device as well as distribution via streaming or web browser is considered an “install.” Games or apps with substantially similar content may be counted as one project, with installs then aggregated to calculate the Unity Runtime Fee.

Screenshot for posterity:

That would mean web browser games made in Unity would count towards this install threshold. You could legitimately drive the count up simply by continuously refreshing the page. The FAQ, again, doubles down.

Q: Does this affect WebGL and streamed games? A: Games on all platforms are eligible for the fee but will only incur costs if both the install and revenue thresholds are crossed. Installs - which involves initialization of the runtime on a client device - are counted on all platforms the same way (WebGL and streaming included).

And, what I personally consider to be the most suspect claim in this entire debacle, they claim that "lifetime installs" includes installs prior to this change going into effect.

Will this fee apply to games using Unity Runtime that are already on the market on January 1, 2024? Yes, the fee applies to eligible games currently in market that continue to distribute the runtime. We look at a game's lifetime installs to determine eligibility for the runtime fee. Then we bill the runtime fee based on all new installs that occur after January 1, 2024.

Again, again, doubled down in the FAQ.

Q: Are these fees going to apply to games which have been out for years already? If you met the threshold 2 years ago, you'll start owing for any installs monthly from January, no? (in theory). It says they'll use previous installs to determine threshold eligibility & then you'll start owing them for the new ones. A: Yes, assuming the game is eligible and distributing the Unity Runtime then runtime fees will apply. We look at a game's lifetime installs to determine eligibility for the runtime fee. Then we bill the runtime fee based on all new installs that occur after January 1, 2024.

That would involve billing companies for using their software before telling them of the existence of a bill. Holding their actions to a contract that they performed before the contract existed!

Okay. I think that's everything. So far.

There is one thing that I want to mention before ending this post, unfortunately it's a little conspiratorial, but it's so hard to believe that anyone genuinely thought this was a good idea that it's stuck in my brain as a significant possibility.

A few days ago it was reported that Unity's CEO sold 2,000 shares of his own company.

On September 6, 2023, John Riccitiello, President and CEO of Unity Software Inc (NYSE:U), sold 2,000 shares of the company. This move is part of a larger trend for the insider, who over the past year has sold a total of 50,610 shares and purchased none.

I would not be surprised if this decision gets reversed tomorrow, that it was literally only made for the CEO to short his own goddamn company, because I would sooner believe that this whole thing is some idiotic attempt at committing fraud than a real monetization strategy, even knowing how unfathomably greedy these people can be.

So, with all that said, what do we do now?

Well, in all likelihood you won't need to do anything. As I said, some of the biggest names in the industry would be directly affected by this change, and you can bet your bottom dollar that they're not just going to take it lying down. After all, the only way to stop a greedy CEO is with a greedier CEO, right?

(I fucking hate it here.)

And that's not mentioning the indie devs who are already talking about abandoning the engine.

[Links display tweets from the lead developer of Among Us saying it'd be less costly to hire people to move the game off of Unity and Cult of the Lamb's official twitter saying the game won't be available after January 1st in response to the news.]

That being said, I'm still shaken by all this. The fact that Unity is openly willing to go back and punish its developers for ever having used the engine in the past makes me question my relationship to it.

The news has given rise to the visibility of free, open source alternative Godot, which, if you're interested, is likely a better option than Unity at this point. Mostly, though, I just hope we can get out of this whole, fucking, environment where creatives are treated as an endless mill of free profits that's going to be continuously ratcheted up and up to drive unsustainable infinite corporate growth that our entire economy is based on for some fuckin reason.

Anyways, that's that, I find having these big posts that break everything down to be helpful.