PlayStation

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The PlayStation is a line of consoles developed by Sony.

PlayStation

Basic information
Founded	28 February 1990
Legal Structure	Subsidiary
Industry	Video Games, Consoles
Also known as	PS, Sony's PlayStation
Official website	https://www.playstation.com/

Consumer impact summary

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

• User Freedom
• User Privacy
• Business Model
• Market Control

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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 PlayStation category.

Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports

Main article: Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports

On a fresh start of most PlayStation titles on PC, a pop-up appears asking the user to consent for data collection, with no way to reject.

Online services incidents

Hardware bans from online services

Main article: 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 article: 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 article: 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 Vita Incidents

Main article: Sony PlayStation Vita proprietary memory card ban

PlayStation 2 incidents

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the PlayStation 2 category.

PlayStation 3 incidents

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the PlayStation 3 category.

Removal of OtherOS

Main article: 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 1 April 2010, with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".

"Yellow Light of Death" bricks console

Main article: 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

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the PlayStation 4 category.

PlayStation 5 Incidents

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the PlayStation 5 category.

PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions (2025)

Main article: 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 (2026)

Main article: 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