The PlayStation The community has pointed to a rule in Sony's terms of service in some regions that allows the company to delete user accounts only for inactivity. July has been the most chaotic month for Japanese companies. It began by announcing that PlayStation consoles would not receive new physical discs starting in January 2028. Now, Sony has come under fire for trying to maintain complete control over consumers' digital libraries in what some are calling an “unconscionable deal.”
Many believe the gaming industry is moving towards a no-ownership model, allowing big companies like Sony to essentially “rent” games under the guise of “selling”. The public's right to own the products they paid for appears to be at risk, and some hope that future legislation will stop such policies before it's too late. That said, the newly revamped section of Sony's terms of service has convinced many that no one owns the item they purchased.
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Sony may delete your PS account for inactivity
Fans have noticed a controversial policy in Sony's terms of service in some regions, including the United Kingdom, under a section titled “Closing Your Account,” which states, “If you have not used your account for at least 36 months, we may take steps to close it.” The policy gives account owners a six-month window to reclaim their accounts before they are deleted. This means users may lose their entire PS library of digitally owned content, including paid games and DLC, if their account is closed due to inactivity. As Sony puts it, “Once your account is closed, you will no longer be able to access PlayStation Online Services or use digital products purchased with that account. Account closure is irreversible.”
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GameRant could not independently verify when Sections 21.1, 21.2, and 21.3 were added to PlayStation's Terms of Service. However, according to the UK-specific TOS, the page was last updated in April 2026. It's also worth noting that, as of this writing, the US version of Sony's terms of service does not include a similar clause regarding account deactivation.
Fans are calling for a PlayStation boycott
Amid news surrounding Sony's account deactivation policy, many fans on social media are using #BoycottSony to urge gamers around the world to stop making purchases on the PlayStation Store. There is also an official PlayStation petition asking the company to reconsider its decision. One of the main arguments against Sony's decision to discontinue the disc is that the company effectively took away customers' ownership rights, not just one of their purchasing options. So far, Sony has not addressed the backlash, and its last official statement remains a July 1 blog post.
The Japanese video game giant has confirmed that PlayStation will continue to support discs after 2028, although reprints and re-releases will be limited to games published before 2027. Meanwhile, the company has offered no guarantees that it will protect users' digital libraries as it moves toward a full-throttle transition. In contrast, its policies allow the removal or cancellation of digitally owned content without legal explanation or refund. For example, Sony plans to remove more than 500 movies from users' libraries in September due to licensing requirements.
