The PlayStation community has pointed to a rule in Sony’s Terms of Service in some regions that allows the company to delete a user account simply for inactivity. July has been a chaotic month for the Japanese company so far. It started by announcing that PlayStation consoles will no longer receive new physical discs beginning in January 2028. Now, Sony is under fire for trying to retain full control over consumers’ digital libraries through what some are now calling an “unconscionable contract.”
Many believe the gaming industry is moving toward a no-ownership model, allowing major companies like Sony to essentially “rent” games under the guise of “selling” them. People’s right to own the products they have paid for seems to be at risk, and some hope future legislation will stop such policies before it’s too late. That said, a newly resurfaced section of Sony’s Terms of Service has convinced many that no one will truly own what they purchase.
Sony Starts Limiting PS5 Disc Drive Purchases Amid Surging Demand
Amid Sony’s decision to discontinue physical video game disc releases in 2028, interest in the PS5 disc drive appears to have peaked.
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 the 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 could 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, “After your Account is closed, you will not be able to access the PlayStation Online Services or use the Digital Products purchased with that Account. Account closure is irreversible.”
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
GameRant was unable to independently verify exactly 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 is also worth noting that, as of this writing, the US version of Sony’s Terms of Service does not include a similar section regarding account inactivity.
Fans Are Calling to Boycott PlayStation
Amid the news surrounding Sony’s account inactivity policy, many fans on social media are using #BoycottSony to urge players around the world to stop making purchases on the PlayStation Store. There is also an official PlayStation petition urging the company to reconsider its decision. One of the main arguments against Sony’s decision to discontinue discs is that the company is effectively taking away customers’ ownership rights, not just one of their purchasing options. So far, Sony has not addressed the backlash, and its final official statement remains the July 1 blog post.
The Japanese video game giant has confirmed that PlayStation will continue supporting discs beyond 2028, though reprints and re-releases will be limited to games originally published before 2027. Meanwhile, the company has offered no guarantee that it will safeguard users’ digital libraries as it moves toward a seemingly full-throttle transition to a no-disc era. In contrast, its policies allow digitally owned content to be removed or revoked without a legal explanation or refund. For example, Sony already plans to remove more than 500 movies from users’ libraries in September due to licensing requirements.
