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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.
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.
More recently, the [[wikipedia:PlayStation_Network|PlayStation Network]] (PSN) [[Forced account|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==
==Incidents==
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===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''===
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}}
{{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>
On 15 December 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==<!-- add a preamble here -->
==Controversies==<!-- add a preamble here -->
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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.
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>
|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>
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|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.
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|[[Bumpgate]]
|[[Bumpgate]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
[[PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"]]
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|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.
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|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>
|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>
|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>
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|[[PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21]]
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|Sony has continued this practices without a proper response
|Sony has continued this practices without a proper response
|[[PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions]]
|[[PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions]]
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|PlayStation dynamic prices
|2025 -ongoing
|Sony has been reportedly testing dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store for months.
That's according to PSPrices, which claims that Sony has been running an A/B testing experiment that shows different prices to different users since November 2025.
In the first four months, the experiment grew from just 50 games in 30 regions to now over 190 games in more than 70 regions.
overall some users are paying 27% more for the same game.
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