Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

PlayStation

2026-03-14T15:11:01Z

Laranxas: I added a incident to the page

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, [[Sony]] has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

======Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content on the playstation library======
{{Main| Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content}}'''[[Sony]]''' initially announced that it would remove purchased Discovery TV shows from [[PlayStation]] users' libraries due to licensing issues

======PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games======
{{Main|PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games}}Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2.

===PlayStation 2 Incidents===

===PlayStation 3 Incidents===
'''PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS''' {{Main|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21}}PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 Incidents===

===PlayStation 5 Incidents===

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
[[Sony]] have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

Sony

2026-03-14T15:09:14Z

Laranxas: I added an article link to an incident

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

===Sony's Playstation controversies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|[[PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21]]
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|[[PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|[[PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games]]
|
|-
|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions
|2025
|Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.
|Sony has continued this practices without a proper response
|[[PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Lease with Flex
|2026
|Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership
|
|[[PlayStation Lease with Flex]]
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

===Consoles:===

*Playstation
*Playstation 2
*Playstation 3
*Playstation 4
*Playstation 5

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21

2026-03-14T15:08:27Z

Laranxas: I create an incident page

{{StubNotice}}

PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>

== Background ==
Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>

==Incident==
PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:PlayStation 3]]

PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21

2026-03-14T15:06:16Z

Laranxas: Created page with "{{IncidentCargo |Company=Sony, PlayStation |StartDate=2010 |Status=Active |ProductLine=PlayStation |Product=PlayStation 3 Slim |ArticleType=Product |Type=Feature Removal |Description=PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "securi }} {{Ph-I-Int}} ==Background== {{Ph-I-B}} ==[Incident]== {{Ph-I-I}} ===[Company]'s response=== {{Ph-I-ComR}} ==Lawsuit== {{Ph..."

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony, PlayStation
|StartDate=2010
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=PlayStation
|Product=PlayStation 3 Slim
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Feature Removal
|Description=PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "securi
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

PlayStation

2026-03-14T15:00:12Z

Laranxas:

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, [[Sony]] has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

======Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content on the playstation library======
{{Main| Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content}}'''[[Sony]]''' initially announced that it would remove purchased Discovery TV shows from [[PlayStation]] users' libraries due to licensing issues

====== PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games ======
{{Main|PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games}}Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2.

===PlayStation 2 Incidents===

===PlayStation 3 Incidents===

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 Incidents===

===PlayStation 5 Incidents===

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
[[Sony]] have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

Sony

2026-03-14T14:58:29Z

Laranxas:

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

===Sony's Playstation controversies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|[[PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|[[PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games]]
|
|-
|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions
|2025
|Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.
|Sony has continued this practices without a proper response
|[[PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Lease with Flex
|2026
|Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership
|
|[[PlayStation Lease with Flex]]
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

===Consoles:===

*Playstation Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership1
*Playstation 2
*Playstation 3
*Playstation 4
*Playstation 5

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games

2026-03-14T14:56:16Z

Laranxas: I create an incident page

[[Sony]] requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.

==Background==
The [[PlayStation|PlaySation]] Network it's an account based service that Sony's Playstation makes mandatory to use their online services like the console shop, the game achievements or the console's friend service.

==Incident==
Sony began releasing its games on the digital computer store Steam. Some time later it began to require the addition of a PSN account to be able to access the aforementioned games including those previously purchased, thus changing the terms of access after the purchase.

The fact that at that time 121 PSN did not exist made the option to play the games impossible for millions of users who had already purchased them, like the popular Helldivers 2 which at the moment was impossible to play from there.

===Sony's response===

In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>

=== Valve's Steam response ===
Steam began to refund games that were inaccessible due to the non-existence of PSN in the user's country regardless of the time played.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games

2026-03-14T14:40:45Z

Laranxas: Created page with "{{IncidentCargo |Company=Sony, PlayStation |StartDate=2024 |Status=Pending Resolution |ProductLine=PlaySation Network, Playstation Games |ArticleType=Service |Type=Accessibility, Post-purchase terms change |Description=Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such }} {{Ph-I-Int}} ==Background== {{Ph-I-B}} ==[Incident]== {{Ph-I-I}} ===[Company]'s response===..."

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony, PlayStation
|StartDate=2024
|Status=Pending Resolution
|ProductLine=PlaySation Network, Playstation Games
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Accessibility, Post-purchase terms change
|Description=Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Sony

2026-03-14T14:35:34Z

Laranxas: I move an incident to the playstation table because it's from it's library

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

===Sony's Playstation controversies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions
|2025
|Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.
|Sony has continued this practices without a proper response
|[[PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Lease with Flex
|2026
|Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership
|
|[[PlayStation Lease with Flex]]
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

===Consoles:===

*Playstation Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership1
*Playstation 2
*Playstation 3
*Playstation 4
*Playstation 5

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

PlayStation

2026-03-14T14:34:10Z

Laranxas: I added a incident to the page

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, [[Sony]] has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

====== Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content on the playstation library ======
{{Main| Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content}}'''[[Sony]]''' initially announced that it would remove purchased Discovery TV shows from [[PlayStation]] users' libraries due to licensing issues

===PlayStation 2 Incidents===

===PlayStation 3 Incidents===

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 Incidents===

===PlayStation 5 Incidents===

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
[[Sony]] have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

Sony

2026-03-14T14:27:50Z

Laranxas: Added a controversy to the lists

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

===Sony's Playstation controversies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions
|2025
|Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.
|Sony has continued this practices without a proper response
|[[PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Lease with Flex
|2026
|Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership
|
|[[PlayStation Lease with Flex]]
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

===Consoles:===

*Playstation Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership1
*Playstation 2
*Playstation 3
*Playstation 4
*Playstation 5

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

PlayStation Lease with Flex

2026-03-14T14:27:13Z

Laranxas: Cleaning the page

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=Sony Interactive Entertainment
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Electronics leasing
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Description=The PlayStation product line, operated by Sony Interactive Entertainment (a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation), comprises home video game consoles, accessories, and related hardware. In addition to traditional retail sales, PlayStation hardware is increasingly distributed via leasing and installment-based financing schemes that alter the nature of consumer ownership.
|ReleaseYear=2026}}
'''Lease with Flex''' is an [[electronics leasing]] service launched in 2026 by [[Sony]], in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its [[PlayStation]] hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

==Consumer-impact summary==
It is not clearly stated on the official leasing pages that PlayStation Plus subscriptions are included within these leasing or financing agreements. As a result, consumers may be required to pay ongoing subscription fees on top of monthly hardware payments to access online multiplayer, cloud saves, and other platform features. This increases the effective total cost of use beyond the advertised monthly price and undermines transparency in pricing.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership. This results in consumers paying substantial sums for temporary access to rapidly depreciating hardware, making the arrangement materially worse than a traditional purchase for long-term use.

These models shift financial risk to consumers while preserving platform control for Sony. Combined with digital-only consoles, DRM, subscription-gated functionality, and restrictions on repair or resale, leasing further weakens the consumer's right to own, repair, resell, or preserve purchased products. The net effect is a structural move away from ownership toward access-based consumption that prioritizes vendor control over consumer rights.

==See also==

*[[NZXT Flex]]

==References==
*Lease with Flex official page: https://direct.playstation.com/en-gb/leasing
*[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] PlayStation Flex product listing: https://playstation-flex.raylopay.com/products?utm_source=playstation&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=playstation-flex-landing

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Playstation 5]]

PlayStation Lease with Flex

2026-03-14T14:24:09Z

Laranxas: Added a category

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=Sony Interactive Entertainment
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Electronics leasing
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Description=The PlayStation product line, operated by Sony Interactive Entertainment (a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation), comprises home video game consoles, accessories, and related hardware. In addition to traditional retail sales, PlayStation hardware is increasingly distributed via leasing and installment-based financing schemes that alter the nature of consumer ownership.
|ReleaseYear=2026}}
'''Lease with Flex''' is an [[electronics leasing]] service launched in 2026 by [[Sony]], in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its [[PlayStation]] hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

==Consumer-impact summary==
It is not clearly stated on the official leasing pages that PlayStation Plus subscriptions are included within these leasing or financing agreements. As a result, consumers may be required to pay ongoing subscription fees on top of monthly hardware payments to access online multiplayer, cloud saves, and other platform features. This increases the effective total cost of use beyond the advertised monthly price and undermines transparency in pricing.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation. If payments stop early, the consumer loses access to the device without having worked toward ownership. This results in consumers paying substantial sums for temporary access to rapidly depreciating hardware, making the arrangement materially worse than a traditional purchase for long-term use.

These models shift financial risk to consumers while preserving platform control for Sony. Combined with digital-only consoles, DRM, subscription-gated functionality, and restrictions on repair or resale, leasing further weakens the consumer's right to own, repair, resell, or preserve purchased products. The net effect is a structural move away from ownership toward access-based consumption that prioritizes vendor control over consumer rights.

==Incidents==
{{Placeholder box|Add one-paragraph summaries of incidents below in sub-sections, which link to each incident's main article while linking to the main article and including a short summary. It is acceptable to create an incident summary before the main page for an incident has been created. To link to the page use the "Hatnote" or "Main" templates.

If the company has numerous incidents then format them in a table (see [[Amazon]] for an example).}}

===Example incident one (date)===
{{Main|link to the main article}}Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).

===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==See also==

*[[NZXT Flex]]

==References==
*Lease with Flex official page: https://direct.playstation.com/en-gb/leasing
*[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] PlayStation Flex product listing: https://playstation-flex.raylopay.com/products?utm_source=playstation&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=playstation-flex-landing

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Playstation 5]]

Category:PlayStation 3

2026-03-14T14:22:15Z

Laranxas: Created page with "Category:PlayStation"

[[Category:PlayStation]]

Category:Playstation 3

2026-03-14T14:21:49Z

Laranxas: occult an error typing category

__HIDDENCAT__

Category:Playstation 3

2026-03-14T14:20:32Z

Laranxas: Correct an error

DISPLAYTITLE
[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"

2026-03-14T14:19:27Z

Laranxas: A more specif subcategory sistem

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony, PlayStation
|StartDate=2006-11
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Playstation
|Product=Playstation 3
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Repairability, Knowingly selling defective product, Defects
|Description=Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,these models are extremely prone to GPU failure
}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.

==Background==

===Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Faults===
From approximately 2005-2010, GPU manufacturers Nvidia and ATI developed some GPUs that had a serious design flaw. This flaw led to failures in many of their GPUs during that time period, and Nvidia even saw a class action lawsuit from it. In order to understand what truly happened during this controversy, though, it's important to understand what exactly led to the faults.

These manufacturers had engineered GPUs that electrically connected the silicon chip (die) to the substrate (the "green square part") using high-lead solder bumps. High-lead solder bumps were chosen in order to fit the power delivery specifications that these GPUs needed; high-lead bumps can deliver more current. To give these solder bumps more strength (especially when operating at high temperatures), it's standard to use an epoxy with silica filler known as underfill. Underfill needs to fit certain specifications, depending on how hot the processor it's used on is expected to get. If it's too hard, the underfill will crack the die. If it's too soft, the bumps will crack because the underfill isn't supportive enough. It also needs to still fit within the right specifications at both high and low temperatures.

In 2006, IBM and Amkor published a study that explained that use of a low Tg underfill was not acceptable with high-lead solder bumps, and high Tg would be necessary to avoid defects. Therefore, because Nvidia and ATI chose to use high-lead solder bumps, they needed a high Tg underfill. However, this study was not out at the time that GPUs from 2005 were made, and the companies ended up using low Tg underfill in these processors.

This low Tg underfill would become too soft at high, but normal operating temperatures for these GPUs. When the processor went through normal thermal changes, the solder bumps would soften under heat and harden as they cooled. This would happen over and over again until they cracked under the thermal stress. When enough solder bumps cracked, it would cause a failure in the unit, hence the term "Bumpgate".

==Incident==
In November 2006, Sony released the PlayStation 3. Similar to the Xbox 360, the early models of PlayStation 3 had what consumers believe to be a Bumpgate-related defect with its Nvidia-based Reality Synthesizer (RSX) GPU. Many consumers who had purchased early "phat" models with a 90nm GPU experienced critical system failures. PlayStation 3 systems that were exhibiting the issue may freeze suddenly during gameplay and shut off. However, all users affected would find that when attempting to turn their PlayStation 3 back on, the LED power indicator would momentarily turn green, then the system would beep three times while very briefly flashing to a yellow light, then it would continuously blink red without booting the system. This failure was coined by consumers as the "Yellow Light of Death".

A 2009 segment by BBC Watchdog covered the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> The presenters stated that when viewers contacted Sony about their console malfunctioning, the company simply stated that the issue could have resulted from a variety of possible failures, and pinpointing the cause would require disassembly of the affected system to analyze error codes. This is true; the LED indicators only indicate a general hardware failure, and a proper diagnosis can only be made after checking the PS3's System Controller (Syscon) and checking for error codes.

During the BBC Watchdog segment, one of the interviewees explained that consumers whose systems were outside of the one year warranty period would have to pay £128 (~$173) for a repair, and Sony would only provide customers with a standard three-month post-repair warranty. If the system failed again after that point, they would have to pay out of pocket for another repair. By August 2008, Sony had begun manufacturing consoles with the 65nm RSX<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=R. |date=26 Jun 2008 |title=PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924101930/https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |archive-date=24 Sep 2021 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Playstation 3 GPU 65nm Specs |url=https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/playstation-3-gpu-65nm.c1682 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=TechPowerUp GPU Database}}</ref>, which enthusiasts confirmed does not have the theoretically Bumpgate-related fault.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":142">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=9 Jun 2025 |title=A PS3 Story 2: Defending BumpGate Theory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjtRjGPLhI |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> In addition, Sony has successfully repaired consoles by transplanting non-defective GPUs (the 65nm or 40nm RSX) into systems that were originally manufactured with a defective 90nm RSX.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Icferrum |date=2 Feb 2020 |title=Frankenstein PHAT PS3: CECHA with 40nm RSX |url=https://www.psx-place.com/threads/frankenstein-phat-ps3-cecha-with-40nm-rsx.28069/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=PSX-Place}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mystic |date=9 Apr 2025 |title=Sony's PS3 Upgrade They Never Told You About: Official 40nm RSX Frankenstein Console From Sony |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2abnrOADoCc |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> However, consoles repaired prior to Sony implementing this repair policy were highly likely to fail again. In addition, the console would also be reset during the repair, resulting in the loss of any data that was not backed up prior to the failure (i.e., game saves).<ref name=":1" />

==Sony's response==
Sony never issued a recall or extended warranty for affected systems; all repair costs were paid by consumers, unless the system failed during the standard one-year warranty period. However, the PS3's fan table accommodated better for the temperature changes that led to failures than the Xbox 360 did, so it took longer for the defect to manifest. Depending on how frequently the console was used, some consumers would not encounter the defect until a few years into owning their console.

When the 65nm RSX was released in Fall 2008,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=R. |date=26 Jun 2008 |title=PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924101930/https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |archive-date=24 Sep 2021 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=Engadget}}</ref> the defect that seems to have caused the "Yellow Light of Death" was resolved for the late "phat" PS3 models. PS3 "slim" models and newer revisions were completely unaffected. The timing of this led some consumers<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |first= |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> to suspect that Sony had known about the defect and quietly fixed it. This was at the same time that Microsoft was addressing the problems with the Xbox 360, as well as while Nvidia was being confronted for their Bumpgate defect in some of their GPUs (particularly, the G84 and G86).

Notably, the RSX is a customized version of Nvidia's 256MB GeForce 7800 GTX.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shimpi |first=Anand |last2=Wilson |first2=Derek |date=24 Jun 2005 |title=Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PS3 - A Hardware Discussion |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/1719/9 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Jun 2025 |website=AnandTech}}</ref> The GeForce 7 series does have some defective units with low-Tg underfill, but it is unclear if the 7800 GTX is among them. There are no known sources of consumer complaints about the 7800 GTX, and none of the notebook laptops covered by the Nvidia class action lawsuit settlement<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=Affected Models |url=https://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001080616/http://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |archive-date=1 Oct 2010 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=The NVIDIA GPU Litigation}}</ref> seem to have that GPU or a mobile version of it. However, this does not necessarily indicate that there was no defect with the 90nm RSX, that Sony wasn't aware that it was defective, or that the 90nm RSX wasn't at all affected by Bumpgate. Console repair and modding enthusiasts have performed extensive research<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Derf |last2=Nadaman |last3=Alex3107 |display-authors=2 |date=14 Jun 2025 |title=PlayStation 3 - Buying Guide |url=https://consolemods.org/wiki/PS3:Buying_Guide#PlayStation_3_%22Fat/Phat%22_(2006-2009) |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=ConsoleMods Wiki}}</ref> and testing<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=9 Jun 2025 |title=A PS3 Story 2: Defending BumpGate Theory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjtRjGPLhI |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> strongly supports the hypothesis that the "Yellow Light of Death" was caused by Bumpgate, and the only way to permanently repair an affected system is to replace the 90nm RSX with a working non-defective unit.

As of 2025, Sony has never made an official statement confirming that the "Yellow Light of Death" was a widespread issue in early PlayStation 3 consoles, nor have they definitively explained that it was linked to Bumpgate.

==Consumer response==
Consumers who experienced the "Yellow Light of Death" were upset with Sony for their poor response. Some, such as PS3 modding and repair enthusiast "RIP Felix", described Sony's response as "gaslighting"<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>- saying that Sony had manipulated consumers into thinking that there was no widespread defect. The six-page letter from Ray Maguire to the BBC following their Watchdog segment takes a tone that supports Felix's claim<ref name=":122">{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref><ref name=":132">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=17 Sep 2009 |title=Sony tackles BBC over 'PS3 failure' report |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sony-tackles-bbc-over-ps3-failure-report |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=Gamesindustry.biz}}</ref>; By 2009, Sony had stopped producing PS3s with the defective 90nm RSX- which left many consumers suspicious that Sony was trying to cover up the problem to avoid taking responsibility for it.

In 2006, when the PlayStation 3 was new, the console costed $599 USD for the 60GB model ($499 USD for the 20GB model).<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Xbox |date=13 Dec 2021 |title=Power On: The Story of Xbox {{!}} Chapter 5: The Red Ring of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2d6IMBS8oY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/power-on-the-story-of-xbox/The+Story+of+the+Xbox+-+Chapter+5/Power+On+-+The+Story+of+Xbox+-+Chapter+5+-+The+Red+Ring+of+Death.mp4 |archive-date=13 Dec 2021 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> This was a major price to pay for a game console at the time; the Nintendo Wii launched at $249.99 USD in November 2006,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Kathleen |last2=Casamassina |first2=Matt |date=14 Sep 2006 |title=US Wii Price, Launch Date Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/14/us-wii-price-launch-date-revealed |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref> and the Xbox 360 launched in late November 2005 at $399 USD ($299 USD for the Core System version).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=17 Aug 2005 |title=Xbox 360 pricing revealed: $299 and $399 models due at launch |url=https://www.gamespot.com/news/xbox-360-pricing-revealed-299-and-399-models-due-at-launch-6131245 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605013951/http://www.gamespot.com/news/xbox-360-pricing-revealed-299-and-399-models-due-at-launch-6131245 |archive-date=5 Jun 2013 |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> Because of the extremely high price compared to competitors, consumers felt that they were making a major investment in a high quality system that would be well-supported if there was a defect. Unfortunately, Sony failed to ever acknowledge the "Yellow Light of Death", other than denying how widespread it was in their only official rebuttal from Ray Maguire, and made consumers pay for an issue that was never their fault.

Some consumers who dealt with the "Yellow Light of Death" paid Sony to repair their systems, but others decided to consider it a loss. For consumers whose systems failed after the "Slim" models came out, some of them chose to re-purchase the cheaper, allegedly more reliable Slim models. At the time, it was assumed that these models were not prone to "Yellow Light of Death" (they have since been confirmed completely non-defective), but there was still some uncertainty among the community at the time. However, others gave up on Sony entirely, switching to other platforms- particularly, the Xbox 360.

===Consumers perform their own repairs===
As a result of the poor response from Sony, consumers largely took things into their own hands. When the PS3 was still supported, informed consumers were sure to warn prospective buyers that the "backwards compatible" and "phat" models of PS3 were prone to the "Yellow Light of Death", that Sony wouldn't fix it for free, and even if they were willing to send it in for repairs, the system would be reset. In the United Kingdom, there was the BBC Watchdog segment that- while misguided on the cause of the problem- did inform consumers across the UK about the issues, so they knew to avoid these early PS3s and choose a newer Slim model if they wanted a PS3.

As of 2025, nearly every PS3 enthusiast knows about the reliability issues of the early, "backwards compatible" PlayStation 3s. Despite this, though, these systems are quite popular among retro console repair and modding enthusiasts particularly for their ability to play not only original PlayStation games, but also PlayStation 2 games. The earliest two revisions, CECHAxx and CECHBxx, even have real PlayStation 2 processors built-in.<ref name=":183">{{Cite web |last=Derf |last2=Nadaman |last3=Alex3107 |display-authors=2 |date=14 Jun 2025 |title=PlayStation 3 - Buying Guide |url=https://consolemods.org/wiki/PS3:Buying_Guide#PlayStation_3_%22Fat/Phat%22_(2006-2009) |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=ConsoleMods Wiki}}</ref> This is especially enticing to consumers who own a PlayStation 5, which is capable of playing PlayStation 4 games, so a person could play any PlayStation game across any generation on legitimate hardware with only two consoles. The reliability issues of these early PS3s is a major downside to consumers, though, so the community has been looking for ways to permanently repair these systems for nearly two decades.

However, because Sony never acknowledged the defect, it was far less clear to consumers what exactly was causing the fault than it was for the Xbox 360. This led many retro console and repair enthusiasts to make poorly informed choices in how to attempt to repair their devices. The only guidance that consumers had for what the fault could be was from the BBC Watchdog segment stating that it was a GPU failure- however, they had incorrectly diagnosed the cause in the segment. BBC Watchdog had also employed technicians to reflow the components on afflicted PS3s' motherboards- which led enthusiasts to believe that doing the same to their console would fix it. However, this would only temporarily restore functionality to the system.

By 2018, frustrated PS3 owners were searching for a better solution- preferably, an easier fix. As a result, rumors began to spread that it was not the RSX GPU that was defective, but rather, the NEC-Tokin capacitors surrounding it.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |first= |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> The reason for the misconception was because Toshiba laptops from the same era had their NEC-Tokins fail prematurely due to a design flaw specific to those laptops. In addition, a failure of the NEC-Tokins can result in similar behavior from the PS3, lending further credence to the claim. It was all but "confirmed" when enthusiasts tried replacing them with tantalum capacitors, and it worked for some. However, the reason for this is because it is possible for PS3s to have a GPU-related failure because of the NEC-Tokin capacitors. It has since been confirmed that the NEC-Tokins are not defective or poorly placed, and if they have failed in a console, it is likely due to normal aging. In fact, these capacitors are specialized for their purpose in the PS3, and should not be replaced unless they truly have failed.

In 2020, PSX-Place forum user "Icferrum" discovered a CECHAxx PS3 with a 40nm RSX inside instead of a standard 90nm RSX. There was no information about this modification online, so the only explanation was that Sony had done this officially. This set enthusiasts off to find a way to perform the same modification. A breakthrough was eventually made with the development of the "Frankenstein Mod" in 2021 (sometimes referred to as the "Orbis Mod"), which utilizes an Orbis modchip to make a 40nm RSX compatible with older PS3 models.<ref name=":173">{{Cite web |last=Icferrum |date=2 Feb 2020 |title=Frankenstein PHAT PS3: CECHA with 40nm RSX |url=https://www.psx-place.com/threads/frankenstein-phat-ps3-cecha-with-40nm-rsx.28069/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=PSX-Place}}</ref>

As for how consumers largely discovered that the problem was related to Bumpgate, YouTube and PSX-Place user "RIP Felix" published multiple videos detailing his research and theories regarding the early PS3s' defect. Most significantly, Felix published a video where he and Xbox 360 repair and modding enthusiast Josh Davidson (Octal450 on the ConsoleMods Wiki) performed various experiments to confirm their theory that the PS3's 90nm RSX was affected by Bumpgate. They tested the solder bumps under the 90nm RSX's die to confirm the use of high-lead solder bumps, and also performed a variety of tests on the underfill, comparing it to similar defective and non-defective GPUs from the same era- such as the Xbox 360's GPUs and Nvidia's GPUs. The tests included simply shining an ultraviolet light on the underfill to see the similarities in color and luminescence, poking the underfill of each of the GPUs with a soldering iron at various temperatures to compare the reactions, and even using a UV visual spectrophotometer to visualize the difference between compositions in various underfills. The results strongly support Felix's theory that the PS3's 90nm RSX's defects were due to Bumpgate; each test showed that the 90nm RSX was remarkably similar to known defective GPUs, but distinct from non-defective ones.<ref name=":144">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=9 Jun 2025 |title=A PS3 Story 2: Defending BumpGate Theory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjtRjGPLhI |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Felix and Davidson's findings effectively confirm that the only way to repair early PlayStation 3s with the "Yellow Light of Death" caused by a GPU failure is to replace the GPU with a non-defective model.

Thanks to the work of retro console modding and repair enthusiasts, consumers have an option to permanently repair these valuable systems. However, the "Frankenstein Mod" is not recommended for inexperienced modders or those who don't have access to a BGA rework station. Because of the specialized nature of this modification, most people will still recommend for consumers to find someone skilled enough to do the modification for them, buy a system that is already modified, or to simply avoid purchasing any consoles impacted by Bumpgate.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:PlayStation 3]]

PlayStation

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Laranxas: A more specif subcategory sistem

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

===PlayStation 2 Incidents===

===PlayStation 3 Incidents===

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 Incidents===

===PlayStation 5 Incidents===

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions

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Laranxas: A more specif subcategory sistem

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
[[Sony]] have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

==Background==
Rust is a multiplayer survival video game developed by Facepunch Studios. It was first released in early access in December 2013 and received its full release in February 2018.

Console versions of Rust was released in May 2021 for the PS4 and Xbox One,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-03-28 |title=Rust Console Edition Release Date Announced for PS4 and Xbox One |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rust-console-edition-release-date-announced-for-ps4-and-xbox-one |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208074019/https://www.ign.com/articles/rust-console-edition-release-date-announced-for-ps4-and-xbox-one |archive-date=8 Feb 2026}}</ref> with the PS5 and Xbox Series versions being released in June 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date= |title=Rust Console Edition new gen version announcement. |url=https://x.com/playrustconsole/status/1899128521957453960 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=@playrustconsole on X |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250322210922/https://x.com/playrustconsole/status/1899128521957453960 |archive-date=22 Mar 2025}}</ref> After much speculation, on 24 April 2025, the co-developers Double11, announced that they would be offerring a free new generation upgrade for users with the previous generation game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silva |first=Pedro |date=2025-04-24 |title=Rust Console Dev Blog 38 (confirms free upgrade) |url=https://rust.double11.com/news/dev-blog-38 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228043655/https://rust.double11.com/news/dev-blog-38 |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==Incident==
On 18 June 2025, it was finally confirmed that the free upgrades could not be completed on [[PlayStation]] until the full release date of 26 June.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first= |date=2025-06-18 |title=Update for players on PlayStation |url=https://rust.double11.com/news/update-for-players-on-playstation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619174133/https://rust.double11.com/news/update-for-players-on-playstation |archive-date=2025-06-19 |access-date=2025-07-10}}</ref> This meant that deluxe & ultimate edition owners, who were supposed to get 7 days early access starting on 19 June could not access the game until 26 June, unless they paid full price. In addition PlayStation players were only given the standard edition, instead of an upgrade to the edition they owned, however Double11 was able to add the other benefits into players accounts from the backend<ref name=":0" />.

==Consumer response==
The consumer response was mainly a lot of anger to the Rust Console team rather than PlayStation, this is seen by a lot of the comments on their posts and the trailer<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6c3JgpXY7A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=D6c3JgpXY7A Archived])</ref> for the rust console new gen version.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Playstation 5]]

Category:Playstation 3

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Laranxas:

[[Category:PlayStation]]

Category:Playstation 3

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PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"

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Laranxas:

Category:Playstation 5

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Laranxas: Created page with "Category:PlayStation"

[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions

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PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions

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Sony

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Laranxas: I added an already existing incident from the playstation article into the sony article

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

===Sony's Playstation controversies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions
|2025
|Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.
|Sony has continued this practices without a proper response
|[[PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions]]
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

===Consoles:===

*Playstation 1
*Playstation 2
*Playstation 3
*Playstation 4
*Playstation 5

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

Sony

2026-03-14T14:06:49Z

Laranxas: /* Products */ I added the consoles section

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

===Sony's Playstation controversies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

=== Consoles: ===

* Playstation 1
* Playstation 2
* Playstation 3
* Playstation 4
* Playstation 5

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

PlayStation

2026-03-13T19:42:16Z

Laranxas:

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

===PlayStation 2 Incidents===

===PlayStation 3 Incidents===

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 Incidents===

===PlayStation 5 Incidents===

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation

2026-03-13T19:38:47Z

Laranxas:

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

===PlayStation 2 Incidents===

===PlayStation 3 Incidents===

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 Incidents===

===PlayStation 5 Incidents===

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation

2026-03-13T19:37:51Z

Laranxas: Added a controversy to the lists and console model based organization of them

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

=== Non-Model-Specific Incidents ===

====== Hardware bans from online services ======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

=== PlayStation 2 Incidents ===

=== PlayStation 3 Incidents ===

====== "Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console ======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

=== PlayStation 4 Incidents ===

=== PlayStation 5 Incidents ===

====== PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions ======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

====== Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]] ======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

Category:Playstation 3

2026-03-13T19:25:12Z

Laranxas: Created page with "Category:PlayStation"

[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"

2026-03-13T19:24:26Z

Laranxas: I took all the info from the this wiki bumpgate page and create an article only to the playstation part for better extension compatibility

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony, PlayStation
|StartDate=2006-11
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Playstation
|Product=Playstation 3
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Repairability, Knowingly selling defective product, Defects
|Description=Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,these models are extremely prone to GPU failure
}}Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.

== Background ==

=== Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Faults ===
From approximately 2005-2010, GPU manufacturers Nvidia and ATI developed some GPUs that had a serious design flaw. This flaw led to failures in many of their GPUs during that time period, and Nvidia even saw a class action lawsuit from it. In order to understand what truly happened during this controversy, though, it's important to understand what exactly led to the faults.

These manufacturers had engineered GPUs that electrically connected the silicon chip (die) to the substrate (the "green square part") using high-lead solder bumps. High-lead solder bumps were chosen in order to fit the power delivery specifications that these GPUs needed; high-lead bumps can deliver more current. To give these solder bumps more strength (especially when operating at high temperatures), it's standard to use an epoxy with silica filler known as underfill. Underfill needs to fit certain specifications, depending on how hot the processor it's used on is expected to get. If it's too hard, the underfill will crack the die. If it's too soft, the bumps will crack because the underfill isn't supportive enough. It also needs to still fit within the right specifications at both high and low temperatures.

In 2006, IBM and Amkor published a study that explained that use of a low Tg underfill was not acceptable with high-lead solder bumps, and high Tg would be necessary to avoid defects. Therefore, because Nvidia and ATI chose to use high-lead solder bumps, they needed a high Tg underfill. However, this study was not out at the time that GPUs from 2005 were made, and the companies ended up using low Tg underfill in these processors.

This low Tg underfill would become too soft at high, but normal operating temperatures for these GPUs. When the processor went through normal thermal changes, the solder bumps would soften under heat and harden as they cooled. This would happen over and over again until they cracked under the thermal stress. When enough solder bumps cracked, it would cause a failure in the unit, hence the term "Bumpgate".

==Incident==
In November 2006, Sony released the PlayStation 3. Similar to the Xbox 360, the early models of PlayStation 3 had what consumers believe to be a Bumpgate-related defect with its Nvidia-based Reality Synthesizer (RSX) GPU. Many consumers who had purchased early "phat" models with a 90nm GPU experienced critical system failures. PlayStation 3 systems that were exhibiting the issue may freeze suddenly during gameplay and shut off. However, all users affected would find that when attempting to turn their PlayStation 3 back on, the LED power indicator would momentarily turn green, then the system would beep three times while very briefly flashing to a yellow light, then it would continuously blink red without booting the system. This failure was coined by consumers as the "Yellow Light of Death".

A 2009 segment by BBC Watchdog covered the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> The presenters stated that when viewers contacted Sony about their console malfunctioning, the company simply stated that the issue could have resulted from a variety of possible failures, and pinpointing the cause would require disassembly of the affected system to analyze error codes. This is true; the LED indicators only indicate a general hardware failure, and a proper diagnosis can only be made after checking the PS3's System Controller (Syscon) and checking for error codes.

During the BBC Watchdog segment, one of the interviewees explained that consumers whose systems were outside of the one year warranty period would have to pay £128 (~$173) for a repair, and Sony would only provide customers with a standard three-month post-repair warranty. If the system failed again after that point, they would have to pay out of pocket for another repair. By August 2008, Sony had begun manufacturing consoles with the 65nm RSX<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=R. |date=26 Jun 2008 |title=PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924101930/https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |archive-date=24 Sep 2021 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Playstation 3 GPU 65nm Specs |url=https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/playstation-3-gpu-65nm.c1682 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=TechPowerUp GPU Database}}</ref>, which enthusiasts confirmed does not have the theoretically Bumpgate-related fault.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":142">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=9 Jun 2025 |title=A PS3 Story 2: Defending BumpGate Theory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjtRjGPLhI |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> In addition, Sony has successfully repaired consoles by transplanting non-defective GPUs (the 65nm or 40nm RSX) into systems that were originally manufactured with a defective 90nm RSX.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Icferrum |date=2 Feb 2020 |title=Frankenstein PHAT PS3: CECHA with 40nm RSX |url=https://www.psx-place.com/threads/frankenstein-phat-ps3-cecha-with-40nm-rsx.28069/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=PSX-Place}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mystic |date=9 Apr 2025 |title=Sony's PS3 Upgrade They Never Told You About: Official 40nm RSX Frankenstein Console From Sony |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2abnrOADoCc |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> However, consoles repaired prior to Sony implementing this repair policy were highly likely to fail again. In addition, the console would also be reset during the repair, resulting in the loss of any data that was not backed up prior to the failure (i.e., game saves).<ref name=":1" />

== Sony's response ==
Sony never issued a recall or extended warranty for affected systems; all repair costs were paid by consumers, unless the system failed during the standard one-year warranty period. However, the PS3's fan table accommodated better for the temperature changes that led to failures than the Xbox 360 did, so it took longer for the defect to manifest. Depending on how frequently the console was used, some consumers would not encounter the defect until a few years into owning their console.

When the 65nm RSX was released in Fall 2008,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=R. |date=26 Jun 2008 |title=PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924101930/https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |archive-date=24 Sep 2021 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=Engadget}}</ref> the defect that seems to have caused the "Yellow Light of Death" was resolved for the late "phat" PS3 models. PS3 "slim" models and newer revisions were completely unaffected. The timing of this led some consumers<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |first= |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> to suspect that Sony had known about the defect and quietly fixed it. This was at the same time that Microsoft was addressing the problems with the Xbox 360, as well as while Nvidia was being confronted for their Bumpgate defect in some of their GPUs (particularly, the G84 and G86).

Notably, the RSX is a customized version of Nvidia's 256MB GeForce 7800 GTX.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shimpi |first=Anand |last2=Wilson |first2=Derek |date=24 Jun 2005 |title=Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PS3 - A Hardware Discussion |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/1719/9 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Jun 2025 |website=AnandTech}}</ref> The GeForce 7 series does have some defective units with low-Tg underfill, but it is unclear if the 7800 GTX is among them. There are no known sources of consumer complaints about the 7800 GTX, and none of the notebook laptops covered by the Nvidia class action lawsuit settlement<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=Affected Models |url=https://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001080616/http://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |archive-date=1 Oct 2010 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=The NVIDIA GPU Litigation}}</ref> seem to have that GPU or a mobile version of it. However, this does not necessarily indicate that there was no defect with the 90nm RSX, that Sony wasn't aware that it was defective, or that the 90nm RSX wasn't at all affected by Bumpgate. Console repair and modding enthusiasts have performed extensive research<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Derf |last2=Nadaman |last3=Alex3107 |display-authors=2 |date=14 Jun 2025 |title=PlayStation 3 - Buying Guide |url=https://consolemods.org/wiki/PS3:Buying_Guide#PlayStation_3_%22Fat/Phat%22_(2006-2009) |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=ConsoleMods Wiki}}</ref> and testing<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=9 Jun 2025 |title=A PS3 Story 2: Defending BumpGate Theory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjtRjGPLhI |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> strongly supports the hypothesis that the "Yellow Light of Death" was caused by Bumpgate, and the only way to permanently repair an affected system is to replace the 90nm RSX with a working non-defective unit.

As of 2025, Sony has never made an official statement confirming that the "Yellow Light of Death" was a widespread issue in early PlayStation 3 consoles, nor have they definitively explained that it was linked to Bumpgate.

==Consumer response==
Consumers who experienced the "Yellow Light of Death" were upset with Sony for their poor response. Some, such as PS3 modding and repair enthusiast "RIP Felix", described Sony's response as "gaslighting"<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>- saying that Sony had manipulated consumers into thinking that there was no widespread defect. The six-page letter from Ray Maguire to the BBC following their Watchdog segment takes a tone that supports Felix's claim<ref name=":122">{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref><ref name=":132">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=17 Sep 2009 |title=Sony tackles BBC over 'PS3 failure' report |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sony-tackles-bbc-over-ps3-failure-report |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=Gamesindustry.biz}}</ref>; By 2009, Sony had stopped producing PS3s with the defective 90nm RSX- which left many consumers suspicious that Sony was trying to cover up the problem to avoid taking responsibility for it.

In 2006, when the PlayStation 3 was new, the console costed $599 USD for the 60GB model ($499 USD for the 20GB model).<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Xbox |date=13 Dec 2021 |title=Power On: The Story of Xbox {{!}} Chapter 5: The Red Ring of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2d6IMBS8oY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/power-on-the-story-of-xbox/The+Story+of+the+Xbox+-+Chapter+5/Power+On+-+The+Story+of+Xbox+-+Chapter+5+-+The+Red+Ring+of+Death.mp4 |archive-date=13 Dec 2021 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> This was a major price to pay for a game console at the time; the Nintendo Wii launched at $249.99 USD in November 2006,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Kathleen |last2=Casamassina |first2=Matt |date=14 Sep 2006 |title=US Wii Price, Launch Date Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/14/us-wii-price-launch-date-revealed |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=IGN}}</ref> and the Xbox 360 launched in late November 2005 at $399 USD ($299 USD for the Core System version).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=17 Aug 2005 |title=Xbox 360 pricing revealed: $299 and $399 models due at launch |url=https://www.gamespot.com/news/xbox-360-pricing-revealed-299-and-399-models-due-at-launch-6131245 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605013951/http://www.gamespot.com/news/xbox-360-pricing-revealed-299-and-399-models-due-at-launch-6131245 |archive-date=5 Jun 2013 |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> Because of the extremely high price compared to competitors, consumers felt that they were making a major investment in a high quality system that would be well-supported if there was a defect. Unfortunately, Sony failed to ever acknowledge the "Yellow Light of Death", other than denying how widespread it was in their only official rebuttal from Ray Maguire, and made consumers pay for an issue that was never their fault.

Some consumers who dealt with the "Yellow Light of Death" paid Sony to repair their systems, but others decided to consider it a loss. For consumers whose systems failed after the "Slim" models came out, some of them chose to re-purchase the cheaper, allegedly more reliable Slim models. At the time, it was assumed that these models were not prone to "Yellow Light of Death" (they have since been confirmed completely non-defective), but there was still some uncertainty among the community at the time. However, others gave up on Sony entirely, switching to other platforms- particularly, the Xbox 360.

=== Consumers perform their own repairs ===
As a result of the poor response from Sony, consumers largely took things into their own hands. When the PS3 was still supported, informed consumers were sure to warn prospective buyers that the "backwards compatible" and "phat" models of PS3 were prone to the "Yellow Light of Death", that Sony wouldn't fix it for free, and even if they were willing to send it in for repairs, the system would be reset. In the United Kingdom, there was the BBC Watchdog segment that- while misguided on the cause of the problem- did inform consumers across the UK about the issues, so they knew to avoid these early PS3s and choose a newer Slim model if they wanted a PS3.

As of 2025, nearly every PS3 enthusiast knows about the reliability issues of the early, "backwards compatible" PlayStation 3s. Despite this, though, these systems are quite popular among retro console repair and modding enthusiasts particularly for their ability to play not only original PlayStation games, but also PlayStation 2 games. The earliest two revisions, CECHAxx and CECHBxx, even have real PlayStation 2 processors built-in.<ref name=":183">{{Cite web |last=Derf |last2=Nadaman |last3=Alex3107 |display-authors=2 |date=14 Jun 2025 |title=PlayStation 3 - Buying Guide |url=https://consolemods.org/wiki/PS3:Buying_Guide#PlayStation_3_%22Fat/Phat%22_(2006-2009) |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=ConsoleMods Wiki}}</ref> This is especially enticing to consumers who own a PlayStation 5, which is capable of playing PlayStation 4 games, so a person could play any PlayStation game across any generation on legitimate hardware with only two consoles. The reliability issues of these early PS3s is a major downside to consumers, though, so the community has been looking for ways to permanently repair these systems for nearly two decades.

However, because Sony never acknowledged the defect, it was far less clear to consumers what exactly was causing the fault than it was for the Xbox 360. This led many retro console and repair enthusiasts to make poorly informed choices in how to attempt to repair their devices. The only guidance that consumers had for what the fault could be was from the BBC Watchdog segment stating that it was a GPU failure- however, they had incorrectly diagnosed the cause in the segment. BBC Watchdog had also employed technicians to reflow the components on afflicted PS3s' motherboards- which led enthusiasts to believe that doing the same to their console would fix it. However, this would only temporarily restore functionality to the system.

By 2018, frustrated PS3 owners were searching for a better solution- preferably, an easier fix. As a result, rumors began to spread that it was not the RSX GPU that was defective, but rather, the NEC-Tokin capacitors surrounding it.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |first= |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> The reason for the misconception was because Toshiba laptops from the same era had their NEC-Tokins fail prematurely due to a design flaw specific to those laptops. In addition, a failure of the NEC-Tokins can result in similar behavior from the PS3, lending further credence to the claim. It was all but "confirmed" when enthusiasts tried replacing them with tantalum capacitors, and it worked for some. However, the reason for this is because it is possible for PS3s to have a GPU-related failure because of the NEC-Tokin capacitors. It has since been confirmed that the NEC-Tokins are not defective or poorly placed, and if they have failed in a console, it is likely due to normal aging. In fact, these capacitors are specialized for their purpose in the PS3, and should not be replaced unless they truly have failed.

In 2020, PSX-Place forum user "Icferrum" discovered a CECHAxx PS3 with a 40nm RSX inside instead of a standard 90nm RSX. There was no information about this modification online, so the only explanation was that Sony had done this officially. This set enthusiasts off to find a way to perform the same modification. A breakthrough was eventually made with the development of the "Frankenstein Mod" in 2021 (sometimes referred to as the "Orbis Mod"), which utilizes an Orbis modchip to make a 40nm RSX compatible with older PS3 models.<ref name=":173">{{Cite web |last=Icferrum |date=2 Feb 2020 |title=Frankenstein PHAT PS3: CECHA with 40nm RSX |url=https://www.psx-place.com/threads/frankenstein-phat-ps3-cecha-with-40nm-rsx.28069/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 Jun 2025 |website=PSX-Place}}</ref>

As for how consumers largely discovered that the problem was related to Bumpgate, YouTube and PSX-Place user "RIP Felix" published multiple videos detailing his research and theories regarding the early PS3s' defect. Most significantly, Felix published a video where he and Xbox 360 repair and modding enthusiast Josh Davidson (Octal450 on the ConsoleMods Wiki) performed various experiments to confirm their theory that the PS3's 90nm RSX was affected by Bumpgate. They tested the solder bumps under the 90nm RSX's die to confirm the use of high-lead solder bumps, and also performed a variety of tests on the underfill, comparing it to similar defective and non-defective GPUs from the same era- such as the Xbox 360's GPUs and Nvidia's GPUs. The tests included simply shining an ultraviolet light on the underfill to see the similarities in color and luminescence, poking the underfill of each of the GPUs with a soldering iron at various temperatures to compare the reactions, and even using a UV visual spectrophotometer to visualize the difference between compositions in various underfills. The results strongly support Felix's theory that the PS3's 90nm RSX's defects were due to Bumpgate; each test showed that the 90nm RSX was remarkably similar to known defective GPUs, but distinct from non-defective ones.<ref name=":144">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=9 Jun 2025 |title=A PS3 Story 2: Defending BumpGate Theory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjtRjGPLhI |url-status=live |access-date=10 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Felix and Davidson's findings effectively confirm that the only way to repair early PlayStation 3s with the "Yellow Light of Death" caused by a GPU failure is to replace the GPU with a non-defective model.

Thanks to the work of retro console modding and repair enthusiasts, consumers have an option to permanently repair these valuable systems. However, the "Frankenstein Mod" is not recommended for inexperienced modders or those who don't have access to a BGA rework station. Because of the specialized nature of this modification, most people will still recommend for consumers to find someone skilled enough to do the modification for them, buy a system that is already modified, or to simply avoid purchasing any consoles impacted by Bumpgate.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]
[[Category:Playstation 3]]

Sony

2026-03-13T19:16:36Z

Laranxas: I added an article link to an incident

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

===Sony's Playstation controversies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"

2026-03-13T19:15:33Z

Laranxas: I create an incident page

Sony

2026-03-13T19:08:52Z

Laranxas: Organized all playstation controversies in their own table to easy reading

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

=== Sony's Playstation controversies ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|
|
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

Sony

2026-03-13T18:56:42Z

Laranxas: Change the name of a link to be more exact

{{clear}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese technology conglomerate known for brands such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music Publishing, PlayStation, and XPERIA.
|Founded=1946
|Industry=Conglomerate, Photography equipment, Audio equipment, Home electronics, Video games
|Logo=Sony.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://sony.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Sony|Sony Group Corporation]]''' is a Japanese Zaibatsu (or mega corporation) headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.<ref>"[https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/ Access & Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416150015/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/|date=2021-04-16}}." Sony Global. Retrieved 2 April 2021. "1–7–1 Konan Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan" – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227050438/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/Data/Map/map_head_office.pdf Map] – [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html Address in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926182046/https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/SMOJ-info/Profile.html|date=2023-09-26}}: "〒108-0075 東京都港区港南1–7–1"</ref> The Sony Group Corporation owns over 100 companies including, but not limited to Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment (including Sony Pictures and Sony Music Group), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and Crunchyroll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of acquisitions by Sony |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320063035/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acquisitions_by_Sony |archive-date=20 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

Sony was established in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204161638/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/ |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> The young company distinguished itself in the consumer electronics market with transistor radios, home video tape recorders, portable audio players called the Walkman, and compact disk players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014201041/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Sony acquired CBS Records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Corporate History |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108000436/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/company/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony]]}}</ref> Later, in 1989 it acquired Columbia Pictures.<ref name=":1" /> The company also introduced the home video game console [[PlayStation]] in 1994.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
Sony has found itself involved in many controversies in the past, most commonly consumer rights and management of digital content issues. They have included instances such as Sony BMG rootkit in 2005, where copy protection software tracked users in secret and added security holes, which were the target of lawsuits and recalls. Sony has also had run-ins with digital content access, like trying to close down the PlayStation Store on older systems and removing "forever" licenses on Funimation content, which was met with pushback and reversal.

More recently, the mandatory PSN account requirement mandated by Sony in Helldivers 2 and binding arbitration provisions in Crunchyroll's terms of service have been criticized as restrictive of user choice and access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
On December 15, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony,<ref name="petition-sony">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. Sony Electronics Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120093757/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=20 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose the data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|Automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228170241/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123003535/https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=23 Jan 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Warranty void if removed stickers
|2004
|Warranty void if removed stickers are illegal under the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act|Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975]]., but are nonetheless used by the company.
Such stickers existed at least on [https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/kuhibAgUoeTpUmSh.huge PlayStation 2] models to prevent users from opening the console (the sticker was on top of a screw).
|
|
|
|-
|Sony BMG CD copy protection {{wplink|rootkit}}
|2005
|Sony BMG distributed about 20 million discs preloaded with copy protection software that tracks the users listening habits (even if the user did not agree to the [[EULA]]), hides itself, and introduces exploitable bugs. As such it has been classified as a rootkit.
Furthermore, they released an uninstaller tool later that merely un-hides their original rootkit and installs more un-removable software, all while extracting more personal information (e-mail addresses) from users.
|Class action lawsuits in 2005-2006 forced Sony to recall about 10% of affected CDs. Sony stopped their copy protection attempts in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony's DRM protected CDs install Windows rootkits |url=https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony%27s_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193020/https://en.m.wikinews.org/wiki/Sony's_DRM_protected_CDs_install_Windows_rootkits |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Wikinews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the Sony Rootkit |url=https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125851/https://fsfe.org/activities/drm/sony-rootkit-fiasco.en.html#restrictions |archive-date=6 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[fsfe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CD’s Containing XCP Content Protection Technology |url=https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153240/https://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html |archive-date=24 Dec 2008 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sony BMG]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"
|2006-2009
|Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |archive-date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.
Affected models (with a 90nm GPU) include: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, and CECHG.
|TBD; Sony never made a response beyond dodging and denial of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref> Consumers whose consoles had this problem- even when Sony was supporting the console- had to pay out of pocket to repair it.<ref name=":2" />
|[[Bumpgate]]
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray AACS License Renewal
|2006
|The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key of Sony PlayStation 3 devices must be renewed every 12 to 18 months via software updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewing the AACS encryption key |url=https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319144013/https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/aacs.html |archive-date=19 Mar 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|TBD. At some point, software updates will no longer be released, which will eventually lock out users from this functionality.
|
|
|-
|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21
|2010
|PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".<ref>{{Cite web |title=PS3 Firmware 3.21 Coming April 1st |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828213927/https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/ |archive-date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the PS3 slim in November 2009, Sony stated that the slim would not support this feature that was available on the current PS3 models still available for sale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842&NewsAreaID=2 |title=SCEE PS3 Slim press release |access-date=2025-08-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822130523/https://www.scee.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4842 |archive-date=August 22, 2009 }}</ref>
|Class action lawsuit, with a $3.75 million settlement in 2018, with people receiving up to $10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |title=Sony sending $10 settlement checks for PS3 “Other OS” lawsuit |access-date=2025-08-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114062814/https://www.gearnuke.com/sony-sending-10-settlement-checks-for-ps3-other-os-lawsuit/ |archive-date=November 14, 2018 }}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Sony Playstation hardware bans
|2011-ongoing
|Sony is banning gaming consoles on hardware level from accessing Playstation Network online services for "violation of terms of service", which makes modern game consoles useless piece of junk
|
|[[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]
|
|-
|Mandatory data collection on PC ports
|2020-ongoing
|
|
|
|
|-
|PlayStation Store Shutdown
|2021
|Sony intended to shut down the PlayStation Store on its {{wplink|PlayStation 3|PS3}}, {{wplink|PlayStation Vita|PS Vita}}, and {{wplink|PlayStation Portable|PSP}} consoles, despite many of the content offerings not being available on newer consoles.
|Sony walked back the decision for the PS3 and PS Vita, citing the negative response from customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jim |date=19 Apr 2021 |title=PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita Will Continue Operations |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170146/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/19/playstation-store-on-ps3-and-ps-vita-will-continue-operations/ |archive-date=19 Apr 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]]}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Removal of {{wplink|Discovery Channel|Discovery}} titles
|2023
|Sony intended to remove customers' access to "purchased" Discovery Channel content at the end of their licensing agreements.
|Sony reversed the decision, allowing customers to continue accessing the content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Dec 2023 |title=Legal update notice |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201155935/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psvideocontent/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
|[[Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6bpzyz5kf_A Archived])</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=krXH8jXefqE Archived])</ref>
|-
|{{wplink|Helldivers 2}} PSN Account Requirement post launch
|2024
|Sony added a {{wplink|PlayStation Network|PSN account}} requirement for Helldivers 2 after the game had become popular, including for countries where you can't create a PSN account.
|The requirement was removed,<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260217120939/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/553850/view/4196868529806518741 Archived])</ref> however the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serin |first=Kaan |date=11 May 2024 |title=Helldivers 2 gets delisted in more countries without PSN access, blindsided devs call for it to be "available worldwide" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511102905/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-gets-delisted-in-more-countries-without-psn-access-blindsided-devs-call-for-it-to-be-available-worldwide/ |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref>
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=I2VA0eum6w4 Archived])</ref>
|-
|PSN Account Requirement for PC Games
|2024-ongoing
|Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariyasinghe |first=Pulasthi |date=2024-11-09 |title=PSN account requirement on PC is there to keep gamers safe, explains Sony |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109203247/https://www.neowin.net/news/psn-account-requirement-on-pc-is-there-to-keep-gamers-safe-explains-sony/ |archive-date=9 Nov 2024 |website=Neowin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Michael |date=2024-09-25 |title=Sony Not Backing Down on PSN PC Requirement Despite Backlash |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925175510/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/09/25/sony-psn-login-required-horizon-zero-dawn-remastered-pc/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2024 |website=PlayStation Lifestyle}}</ref>.
|In January 2025 Sony removed this requirement for some games and instead offered players benefits to use PSN. However the restriction remains for other Sony games such as Until Dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qizilbash |first=Asad |date=2025-01-29 |title=New in-game content incentives coming to PlayStation games on PC |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129163956/https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/new-in-game-content-incentives-coming-to-playstation-games-on-pc/ |archive-date=29 Jan 2025 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony - PlayStation Blog}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|Revocation of "Forever" licenses to {{wplink|Funimation}} digital content
|2024
|After merging Funimation with {{wplink|Crunchyroll, LLC|Crunchyroll}}, Sony revoked all licenses to digital content that had been advertised as "forever" licenses without providing a refund or reimbursement.
|Some users received free months of service for the new Crunchyroll platform, but only if they submitted a ticket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=26 Feb 2024 |title=Funimation’s solution for wiping out digital libraries could be good, if it works |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153946/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24080637/funimation-shut-down-crunchyroll-digital-library-compensation |archive-date=26 Feb 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
|[[Funimation "Forever" Content License Revocation]]
|
|-
|Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update
|2025
|Sony forced users of Crunchyroll into binding arbitration by updating their terms of service and without providing an easy way to opt-out.
|TBD
|[[Crunchyroll January 2025 Terms of Service Update]]
|
|-
|Camera monitor on Xperia phones turned into subscription
|2025
|Sony disabled External Monitor feature with software update on Xperia phones and turned it into subscription
|TBD
|[[Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PqPfM6lxv90 Archived])</ref>
|}

==Products==

===Audio:===
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds|Sony WF-1000XM4]]
*Sony WH-1000XM5

===Televisions:===
*[[Sony x900h television|Sony X900H]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Video references===
<references group="Video References" />

[[Category:Sony]]

PlayStation

2026-03-13T18:54:01Z

Laranxas: Added the categories Sony and playstation

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions===
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

===Hardware bans from online services===
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

===Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]===
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

HiSense

2026-03-13T15:00:55Z

Laranxas:

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1969
|Industry=Home appliances, Electronics Manufacturing
|Logo=Hisense.png
|Type=Public, partial state-ownership
|Website=https://global.hisense.com/
|Description=Hisense is a home appliance and electronics manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is currently the second largest m
}}Hisense is a home appliance and electronics manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is currently the second largest manufacturer of televisions in the world

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:Hisense|Hisense category]].

===Hisense didn't provide official method of repair it's broken H9G/Q9G TV (''26 Sep 2024'')===
[[Hisense H9G Smart TV]]

Hisense failed to offer recourse to consumers whose smart TVs broke due to faulty manufacturing. Where OEM replacement parts could have been provided or recalls could have been issued, Hisense instead forced its customers to waste their time, effort, and money to safely dispose of the 55"/65" TVs.

===[[Hisense adds non-skippable ads to it's GUI on the Spanish models]] (Feb 2026)===
In the start of 2026 the operating system of the Hisense's smart TVs, VIDAA, suddenly began to display non-skippable and full screen ads in it's GUI without notifying the customers.

'''The ads could appear in any moment''', whether was at change channels, turn on the TV, switch HDMI sources, or put prioritized sponsored content in the system GUI and home screen.

'''The ads appear even if the owner disabled the permissions or added a custom DNS that blocked them'''.

Because the ads were personalized, the TV was collecting information all the time about what the user was doing with it and what was watching to display the most optimized ad.

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Hisense]]

HiSense

2026-03-13T15:00:37Z

Laranxas: I added a new incident to this page

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1969
|Industry=Home appliances, Electronics Manufacturing
|Logo=Hisense.png
|Type=Public, partial state-ownership
|Website=https://global.hisense.com/
|Description=Hisense is a home appliance and electronics manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is currently the second largest m
}}Hisense is a home appliance and electronics manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is currently the second largest manufacturer of televisions in the world

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:Hisense|Hisense category]].

===Hisense didn't provide official method of repair it's broken H9G/Q9G TV (''26 Sep 2024'')===
[[Hisense H9G Smart TV]]

Hisense failed to offer recourse to consumers whose smart TVs broke due to faulty manufacturing. Where OEM replacement parts could have been provided or recalls could have been issued, Hisense instead forced its customers to waste their time, effort, and money to safely dispose of the 55"/65" TVs.

=== [[Hisense adds non-skippable ads to it's GUI on the Spanish models]] (Feb 2026) ===
In the start of 2026 the operating system of the Hisense's smart TVs, VIDAA, suddenly began to display non-skippable and full screen ads in it's GUI without notifying the customers.

'''The ads could appear in any moment''', whether was at change channels, turn on the TV, switch HDMI sources, or put prioritized sponsored content in the system GUI and home screen.

'''The ads appear even if the owner disabled the permissions or added a custom DNS that blocked them'''.

Because the ads were personalized, the TV was collecting information all the time about what the user was doing with it and what was watching to display the most optimized ad.

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Hisense]]

Hisense adds non-skippable ads to it's GUI on the Spanish models

2026-03-13T14:57:36Z

Laranxas:

Hisense adds non-skippable ads to it's GUI on the Spanish models

2026-03-13T14:54:29Z

Laranxas: I created a new incident with Hisense TVs

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=HiSense, Nexxen
|StartDate=2026-02
|EndDate=2026-03
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=Hisense Smart TVs
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Advertising, Annoying, Artificial Intelligence
|Description=In Spain, Hisense began to place non-skippable and personalized ads with artificial intelligence every time you changed the channel, the HDMI source,
}}In Spain, [[HiSense|Hisense]] began to place non-skippable and AI personalized ads every time you changed the channel, the HDMI source, turned on the television and other basic things.
==Incident==

=== Background ===
At the moment of this polemic Hisense Smart TVs use a personalized operating system called VIDAA (based on android TV). The partner company in VIDAA is [[Nexxen|Neexen]] a AI based personalized advertisement company who announced the introduction of programmatic advertising, in which every opportunity to show an ad to a viewer who is presented, is auctioned in real-time through DSP platforms automatically.

=== Incident ===
In the start of 2026 the operating system of the Hisense's smart TVs, [https://www.vidaa.com/ VIDAA], suddenly began to display non-skippable and full screen ads in it's GUI without notifying the customers.

'''The ads could appear in any moment''', whether was at change channels, turn on the TV, switch HDMI sources, or put prioritized sponsored content in the system GUI and home screen.

'''The ads appear even if the owner disabled the permissions or added a custom DNS that blocked them'''.

Because the ads were personalized, the TV was collecting information all the time about what the user was doing with it and what was watching to display the most optimized ad.

=== Consumer response ===
The response of consumers was an immediate hatred and weariness towards the ads and an explosion of complaints and exposure of the problem on social networks.

===Hisense's response<ref>En relación con algunas informaciones publicadas recientemente sobre publicidad en televisores Hisense, la compañía desea aclarar que la situación mencionada se refiere exclusivamente a contenidos disponibles dentro de la plataforma VIDAA.

Estos servicios forman parte de una oferta adicional y completamente opcional dentro del ecosistema del televisor, y en ningún caso afectan al funcionamiento normal del dispositivo ni a la experiencia de uso del usuario. Los consumidores pueden seguir utilizando con total normalidad entradas HDMI, aplicaciones de streaming por suscripción, videojuegos o la recepción de televisión terrestre sin ninguna interferencia.

El modelo de promoción de canales gratuitos con publicidad está ampliamente extendido en el sector de las smart TV y de la televisión conectada. Diversas marcas y plataformas internacionales de reconocido prestigio ofrecen servicios equivalentes como parte de su propuesta de contenidos.

En el caso concreto al que hacen referencia algunas informaciones, se trataba de un testeo puntual en el mercado español destinado a evaluar determinados formatos publicitarios dentro de este tipo de servicios. Este test se realizó durante un periodo limitado y ya ha finalizado. Actualmente, este formato publicitario ha sido eliminado de los televisores Hisense en el territorio español.

Hisense mantiene su compromiso de ofrecer una experiencia de usuario transparente y de calidad, así como de respetar la libertad de elección de los usuarios respecto a los servicios y contenidos que desean utilizar en sus dispositivos.</ref>===
The company responded by claiming that it was a "one-off test of the model" and "currently, this advertising format has already been withdrawn from Spain" in the face of criticism from consumers. Also says "The ideals related to the user experience are not – nor will they be, says the company – conditioned to the display of advertising".

{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==

# Álvarez del Vayo, Periódico El Español, [https://www.elespanol.com/elandroidelibre/noticias-y-novedades/20260227/hisense-empieza-mostrar-publicidad-espana-smarttvs-anuncios-incluso-encender-televisor/1003744148268_0.html "Hisense empieza a mostrar publicidad en España en sus smartTVs: anuncios incluso al encender el televisor"], new from 27 Feb 2026, retrieved 13 Mar 2026.
# Jose Antonio Carmona, Xatakahome, [https://www.xatakahome.com/televisores/se-trato-prueba-temporal-hisense-aclara-polemica-anuncios-sus-televisores-espana Hisense responde a la polémica de los anuncios a la fuerza en sus teles: “Se trató de una prueba temporal”], new from 6 Mar 2026, retrieved 13 Mar 2026.
# [https://www.reddit.com/r/Hisense/comments/1rb1law/ad_to_change_input_really_reupload_with_video/ ¿Un anuncio para cambiar de entrada?? ¿En serio?? (Re-subida con video) /], Reddit, from 23 Feb 2026, retrieved 13 Mar 2026.
# [https://bandaancha.eu/foros/anuncios-televisor-hisense-1759368 Mi televisión Hisense ha empezado a mostrar anuncios ¿cómo los puedo eliminar?], Bandaancha.eu, 26 Feb 2026, retrieved 13 Mar 2026
{{Ph-I-C}}Hisense

Hisense H9G Smart TV

2026-03-13T14:53:34Z

Laranxas:

{{ProductLineCargo
|Company=Hisense
|Title= {{PAGENAME}}
|ReleaseYear=2020
|Category=Smart TV
|InProduction=No
|Website=None found
|Logo =Hisense H9G.jpg
}}

'''{{PAGENAME}}''' was manufactured and sold by Hisense between 2020 and 2023. During that time, it was considered the company's flagship model, and still retails at $1,400 on Amazon as of February 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delaney |first=John R. |date=17 Aug 2020 |title=Hisense 65H9G Quantum Series Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/hisense-65h9g-quantum-series?test_uuid=02LlF0iWKsilxYTJVF8uH5y&test_variant=B |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=PCMag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004104044/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/hisense-65h9g-quantum-series?test_uuid=02LlF0iWKsilxYTJVF8uH5y&test_variant=B |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref> The H9G Smart TV runs off of Android TV operating system and had quite good ratings on internet review sites. Canadian models of this product were called Q9G.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tozzi |first=Alexander |last2=Di Giovanni |first2=Nicholas |last3=Khong |first3=Yannick |date=11 Nov 2020 |title=Hisense H9G TV Review |url=https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/hisense/h9g |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=RTINGS.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251117231047/https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/hisense/h9g |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
Hisense failed to offer recourse to consumers whose smart TVs broke due to faulty manufacturing. Where OEM replacement parts could have been provided or recalls could have been issued, Hisense instead forced its customers to waste their time, effort, and money to safely dispose of the 55"/65" TVs.

==Incidents==
Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

The model H9G/Q9G smart TVs were manufactured using a SK hynix chip on their main board. According to Youtuber Salem Techsperts, a batch of these chips provided to Hisense were defective, causing thousands of smart TVs to fail in the same manner: a bootloading loop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@SalemTechsperts |date=9 Apr 2024 |title=Why are TV's so disposable? Hisense WiFi / storage full bootloop #tech #pc #technology #shorts |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MkmLH-uOwI |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=7MkmLH-uOwI |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> Hisense did not recall the product and provided no recourse for customers who, in some cases, had their TV break within two years of purchase.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@ThatIrishGuy74 |title=H9G main Board problems |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Hisense/comments/s9ap2d/h9g_main_board_problems/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220121142942/https://old.reddit.com/r/Hisense/comments/s9ap2d/h9g_main_board_problems/ |archive-date=21 Jan 2022}}</ref> Hisense also made replacement main boards unavailable.<ref>{{Cite web |title=270342 Hisense Main Board |url=https://hisense.encompass.com/item/12583046/Hisense/270342/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=[[Hisense]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004104037/https://hisense.encompass.com/item/12583046/Hisense/270342/ |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref> OEM SK hynix H26M41204HPR chips could not be found online.

On September 26, 2024, Matthew Deyell filed a [[class action lawsuit]] against Hisense USA Corp for "concealing a known defect and failing to repair or reimburse affected consumers." The lawsuit alleges similar causes and effects occur in "2019-present Hisense 4K Android smart TVs, including the H8, H9, H65, U6, U8, and A6 series," none of which are currently offered on Hisense's website.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Nov 2024 |title=Hisense’s Smart TV Disaster: The Class Action Lawsuit You Need to Know About |url=https://www.lawinc.com/hisense-smart-tv-class-action-lawsuit |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=www.lawinc.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251205141335/https://www.lawinc.com/hisense-smart-tv-class-action-lawsuit |archive-date=5 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>[https://www.hisense-usa.com/televisions/all-tvs?filter=%255B%257B%2522id%2522%253A10%252C%2522type%2522%253A%2522CF%2522%252C%2522values%2522%253A%255B%2522Android%2520TV%2522%255D%257D%255D Android TVs] - Hisense USA ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250405124013/https://www.hisense-usa.com/televisions/all-tvs?filter=%255B%257B%2522id%2522%253A10%252C%2522type%2522%253A%2522CF%2522%252C%2522values%2522%253A%255B%2522Android%2520TV%2522%255D%257D%255D Archived])</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]
[[Category:Hisense H9G Smart TV]]
[[Category:Hisense]]

Hisense adds non-skippable ads to it's GUI on the Spanish models

2026-03-13T13:59:03Z

Laranxas: Created page with "{{IncidentCargo |Company=HiSense, Nexxen |StartDate=2026-02 |EndDate=2026-03 |Status=Resolved |ProductLine=Hisense Smart TVs |ArticleType=Product |Type=Advertising, Annoying, Artificial Intelligence |Description=In Spain, Hisense began to place non-skippable and personalized ads with artificial intelligence every time you changed the channel, the HDMI source, }} {{Ph-I-Int}} ==Background== {{Ph-I-B}} ==[Incident]== {{Ph-I-I}} ===[Company]'s response=== {{Ph-I-C..."

HiSense

2026-03-13T12:16:34Z

Laranxas: /* Hisense didn't provide official method of repair it's broken H9G/Q9G TV (26 Sep 2024) */

HiSense

2026-03-13T12:11:24Z

Laranxas: I added a incident to the page

HiSense

2026-03-13T11:54:12Z

Laranxas:

HiSense

2026-03-13T11:51:26Z

Laranxas:

HiSense

2026-03-13T11:50:02Z

Laranxas: Create the HiSense page

File:Hisense.png

2026-03-13T11:37:41Z

Laranxas:

== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}

Discord

2025-10-07T11:15:05Z

Laranxas: /* Reinforcement of forced arbitration (Sept. 2025) */ extended the information of the case

{{ToneWarning}}

'''Discord''' is a proprietary VoIP and instant-messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel, Inc.), co-founded by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Guadalupe |date=3 May 2018 |title=There Are 2.6 Billion Online Gamers in the World. This Startup Just May Connect Them All |url=https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503131556/https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |archive-date=3 May 2018 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Inc.}}</ref> Launched in 2015, the service has grown to over 150 million monthly active users as of 2025. While initially marketed toward PC gamers, Discord has expanded to multiple platforms, serving various communities and use cases, such as education.<ref name="about-company">{{Cite web |date=15 Apr 2024 |title=About Discord <nowiki>|</nowiki> Our Mission and Values |url=https://discord.com/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608013037/https://discord.com/company |archive-date=8 Jun 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Discord}}</ref>

In April 2025, Humam Sakhnini (formerly King, Activision Blizzard) replaced Jason Citron as CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discord Appoints Humam Sakhnini as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-appoints-new-ceo-humam-sakhnini}}</ref> {{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Discord Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2015
| Industry = Software
| Official Website = https://discord.com
| Logo = Discord.svg
}}

==Consumer Impact Summary==

===Privacy<ref name="terms-of-service3">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>===
Mentioned within the '''Discord TOS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref><ref name="community-guidelines2">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
*Collects extensive user data, including messages, voice communications, and server participation.
*Claims broad rights to user-generated content.
*Deleted messages are stored for undefined periods.
*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with undefined retention periods.
*Processes user content for "safety features and platform improvement".
*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers.
*Opt-out behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.
*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information for an undetermined amount of time, flags any user who has ever signed in with an EU IP address for inclusion within DSA transparency reports
*Sends a web request when any UI element is clicked & when typing
*A phone number is randomly required, and the account will be locked until a phone number is added, regardless of account age or recent activity. The account will be automatically locked if the phone number is removed.

===Freedom===
Mentioned within the '''Discord TOS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3" />
*Mandatory [[Forced Arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started 15 May 2024).
*Users grant a perpetual, transferable license to their content.
*Users must accept the broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes.
*Accounts can be terminated without prior notice at Discord's discretion.

*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service.
*Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion.
*Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned.
*Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.

===Transparency===
Mentioned within the '''Discord Privacy Policy'''<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> and '''Community Guidelines''':<ref name="community-guidelines2" />
*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.
*Vague about specific data retention time frames.
*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BBB - Discord, Inc. |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699 |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=[[Better Business Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Trustpilot - Discord |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/discord.com |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=Trustpilot}}</ref>
**In some instances, the offending content is not shown to the user, nor any metadata, filenames, timestamps, or even the originating channel.
**No limits or restrictions on the age of content (e.g., users can be suspended due to something sent 1500 days ago)
*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.
*No clear disclosure of how the content is used for platform improvement.
==Incidents==
===FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)===
In September 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) released a comprehensive report examining Discord's data-collection practices as part of a broader investigation into social-media platforms.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite class="citation web cs1">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf "A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services"] (PDF). ''Federal Trade Commission''. 11 Sep 2024. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919133855/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf Archived] (PDF) from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Federal+Trade+Commission&rft.atitle=A+Look+Behind+the+Screens%3A+Examining+the+Data+Practices+of+Social+Media+and+Video+Streaming+Services&rft.date=2024-09-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ftc.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fftc_gov%2Fpdf%2FSocial-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref>

The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:
*Message content and metadata
*Voice-chat participation
*Server membership and activity
*Device and location information
Particular concern was raised about:
*Collection of data from users under 13
*Handling of minor user information
*Inadequate age-verification systems
The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:
*Identity-theft exposure
*Potential stalking risks
*Discrimination concerns
*Mental health and emotional impact

The FTC concluded that Discord's data practices created unacceptable risks for users, particularly minors, and called for significant reforms to the platform's privacy protection measures.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFTolentino2024" class="citation web cs1">Tolentino, Daysia (19 Sep 2024). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919171049/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 Archived] from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Social+media+companies+engaged+in+%27vast+surveillance%2C%27+FTC+finds%2C+calling+status+quo+%27unacceptable%27&rft.date=2024-09-19&rft.aulast=Tolentino&rft.aufirst=Daysia&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsecurity%2Fsocial-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref>

===Introduction of forced arbitration (Mar. 2024)===
In March 2024, Discord users were notified via email that [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] would be added to the [[Terms of Service|terms of service]] , effective 15 April 2024. Users could opt out by sending an 'opt-out notice' to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com within the thirty days preceding 15 April 2024 or by registering their first account.'''<ref name="terms-of-service3" />'''

===Reinforcement of forced arbitration (Sept. 2025)===
In September 2025, following a data breach of a third-party service provider<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winder |first=David |date=2025-10-05 |title=Discord Confirms Users Hacked — Photos And Messages Accessed |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/10/05/discord-confirms-users-hacked---photos-and-messages-accessed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007024052/https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/10/05/discord-confirms-users-hacked---photos-and-messages-accessed/ |archive-date=2025-10-06 |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=Forbes}}</ref>, Discord updated their terms of service again. They re-iterated their [[forced arbitration]] clause from March 2024, but gave users another option to opt-out of forced arbitration until October 29th, 2025 for existing accounts, or 30-days after initial agreement for new accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-29 |title=Discord's Terms of Service |url=https://discord.com/terms#16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007023150/https://discord.com/terms#16 |archive-date=2025-10-06 |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=Discord.com}}</ref> Users are automatically opted into the forced arbitration clause if no action is taken to specifically opt-out of forced arbitration within 30 days. Instead, if the users chose to delete their accounts, the platform, the platform forced them to accept the terms in order to access their account, from which to delete it; making it so mandatory, no matter the choice.
[[File:Discord Forced Arbitration 1.png|alt=An example of Discord forcing users to agree to arbitration if they want to continue using the application.|thumb|(2025-09-29) An example of Discord forcing users to agree to arbitration if they want to continue using the application. The terms of service at the time of this screenshot includes forced arbitration and disallows users from filing a class-action lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Discord |date=2025-09-29 |title=Terms of Service {{!}} Discord |url=https://discord.com/terms |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Discord}}</ref>]]

===Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)===
An [[wikipedia:NBC News|NBC News]] investigation in June 2023<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFGoggin2023" class="citation web cs1">Goggin, Ben (21 Jun 2023). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230621152318/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 Archived] from the original on 21 Jun 2023. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Child+predators+are+using+Discord%2C+a+popular+app+among+teens%2C+for+sextortion+and+abductions&rft.date=2023-06-21&rft.aulast=Goggin&rft.aufirst=Ben&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsocial-media%2Fdiscord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref> uncovered widespread child-safety issues on Discord, revealing systemic problems with the platform's user protection measures.

Investigators identified 35 separate cases where adults were criminally charged with "kidnapping, grooming, or sexual assault" involving contacts initiated through Discord. Additionally, 165 criminal prosecutions involving the sharing of child sexual exploitation material on the platform were documented.

===Vague moderation===
{{Main|Discord's irresponsible moderation}}
[[File:Discord Vague Infringement example.png|thumb|An example of how Discord handles its moderation from a user's perspective.]]
Reported countlessly by users on the BBB<ref name=":0" />, Trustpilot <ref name=":1" /> and a dedicated subreddit<ref>{{Cite web |title=/r/BannedFromDiscord |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/BannedFromDiscord/}}</ref> users have complained about how Discord's moderation is extremely vague. One such user reported their account being banned from the BBB,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mir |first=Zain |date=Jul 23, 2025 |title=BBB Complaint |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699/complaints?page=2#1116_918699_23643523 |access-date=Aug 1, 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau}}</ref> with an automated system handling the entire process, replying only with templates, without having a human involved in the appeal process.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Discord]]
[[Category:Forced Arbitration]]