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PlayStation can delete all your digital games after 3 years of inactivity (EU) (flatpanelshd.com)

286 points by thewebguyd · 3 days ago · 156 comments on HN

Article summary

PlayStation's European terms of service allow the company to delete a user's account and all purchased digital games after 3 years of inactivity. This policy has sparked outrage among gamers, with some accusing Sony of trying to establish a monopoly through the PlayStation Store. The decision to abandon physical game discs in favor of all-digital distribution has also raised concerns about ownership and the potential for games to be revoked. The policy is reportedly not unique to Sony, with Microsoft having similar terms in its account policy.

Main themes

  • Digital game ownership
  • PlayStation Store monopoly
  • GDPR and data retention
  • Console gaming
  • Digital distribution

What commenters say

  • The GDPR does not require companies to delete personal data after a certain period, but rather to retain it for as long as it is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
  • Sony's policy of deleting inactive accounts and purchased games is a legitimate consequence of GDPR article 5(1)e, which requires data to be held for a limited amount of time.
  • The EU's GDPR rules are being misinterpreted by companies, leading to malicious compliance and a poor user experience, with cookie banners being a prime example.
  • The console gaming industry is flawed, with high development costs, exhausting crunch times, and a focus on graphics over gameplay, making it a less desirable platform for game development.
  • Third-party game controllers have surpassed those made by console vendors in terms of quality and features, offering better alternatives for gamers.
  • The PC gaming platform is not necessarily superior to console gaming, with consoles offering a more reliable and cost-effective experience for many users.
  • The ability to delete purchased games after a certain period of inactivity is a concern for gamers, who may lose access to their digital libraries if they do not regularly log in to their accounts.
  • The focus on gameplay and narrative over graphics is a desirable trend in game development, allowing for more innovative and engaging experiences.