Consumer Rights
Ongoing coverage on Consumer Rights.
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PlayStation users in the UK could be collectively awarded billions in compensation for 'excessive and unfair' PlayStation Store charges in class-action lawsuit against Sony
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Sony in the UK, accusing the company of unfair charges on the PlayStation Store. Consumer campaigner Alex Neill alleges Sony exploited UK customers by overcharging for digital games and add-on content, potentially amounting to £2 billion in compensation for 12.2 million users. Sony denies the claims, citing security and privacy risks with third-party stores.
Valve argues mystery boxes are 'widely used' in the tangible world
Valve is arguing against the New York Attorney General's lawsuit that claims its games promote illegal gambling through loot boxes. The company asserts that these mystery boxes are widely used in both video games and the physical world, comparing them to baseball card packs and blind boxes. Valve also stated that it does not cooperate with gambling sites and has locked over one million Steam accounts involved in such activities.
Developer sues publisher after leaving Kickstarter backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 constitute illegal gambling. The company stated it has been educating the NYAG about its virtual items since early 2023 and believes the transferability of digital items is a consumer right. Valve also addressed separate legal proceedings initiated by the Performing Right Society over alleged unlicensed use of music on Steam.
Valve argues loot boxes "widely used, not just in video games but in the tangible world" as it expresses 'disappointment' over New York state lawsuit
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York State, which alleges that its loot box system constitutes illegal gambling. The company expressed disappointment, arguing that the transferability of digital items is beneficial to consumers and that their "mystery boxes" are comparable to tangible collectibles like baseball cards. Valve also highlighted its efforts to combat the misuse of game items on gambling sites and its concerns about the invasive data collection proposed by the state.
Valve posted a statement on the New York lootbox lawsuit
Valve has issued a statement addressing the New York Attorney General's lawsuit concerning lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company argues that these mystery boxes do not violate gambling laws and compares them to tangible collectible items like baseball or Pokemon cards. Valve also expressed concerns about the Attorney General's demands for increased personal data collection for age verification and the proposed removal of item transferability.
Now you don't even need to pretend to read the terms of service, as US court rules that continued use can imply…
A US court has ruled that continued use of a service or device can imply consent to its terms of service, a decision stemming from a lawsuit against Tile, a Bluetooth tracker company owned by Life360. This ruling occurred despite claims from plaintiffs that they were unaware of or did not receive notifications regarding the terms, highlighting concerns about surveillance and user consent in the digital age.
'This Should Be Illegal': PS5's Dynamic Pricing Roundly Criticised by Disgusted Sony Fans
Sony is reportedly testing dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store, showing different prices for the same games to different users. This practice, which is legal in the UK as long as retailers are transparent, has drawn significant criticism from PlayStation 5 owners who view it as a 'scummy' and unfair business tactic. Sony has not yet commented on the experiment.
