• Epic Games is offering a $1 million bounty for evidence of a paid smear campaign against the Houseparty app.
• The video group chat and gaming app has surged in popular following coronavirus lockdown measures.
• Rumors allege that the app allows hackers to access Netflix, Spotify, and bank account details.

Epic Games has announced it will reward $1 million of its Fortnite-earned dollars to anyone that offers up evidence of a paid commercial smear campaign against Housparty.

The group video chat and games app has surged in popularity in recent weeks . People have flocked to the app to stay in touch with loved ones and to fill the time following lockdown measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Epic Games acquired Houseparty in June last year. 

Houseparty Hacking Rumors

Alongside Houseparty’s rise, numerous online rumors have circulated. These suggest that hackers are using the app to access the personal details of users. In particular, Netflix, Spotify, and personal bank account information.

As the BBC reports, Twitter users began posting screenshots allegedly showing various personal accounts locked after using the Houseparty app .

Epic Games responded to the allegations with the following statement;

We’ve found no evidence to suggest a link between Houseparty and the compromises of other unrelated accounts. As a general rule, we suggest all users choose strong passwords when creating online accounts on any platform.

$1 Million Bounty

In a tweet authored on the Houseparty Twitter account in the early hours of today, Epic Games revealed that it is investigating what it considers ‘a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty.’ 

To help efforts to track down those responsible, Epic Games is now using the might of its Fortnite-padded war chest. The company is offering a ‘bounty’ of $1 million to the first person that provides proof of an organized smear campaign.