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 alleges Sony overcharged UK PlayStation Store customers, potentially awarding £2 billion in compensation to 12.2 million users.Summary
A class-action lawsuit, dubbed 'PlayStation You Owe Us', has been filed against Sony in the UK, alleging unfair and excessive charges on the PlayStation Store. Consumer campaigner Alex Neill accuses Sony of exploiting customers by charging prices up to 20% higher than physical editions, citing the company’s near-monopoly on digital game sales and a 30% commission charged to developers. The lawsuit argues that Sony sets retail prices without competition, leading to “excessive and unfair” profits. If successful, the suit could award approximately £162 to each of an estimated 12.2 million PlayStation users in the UK for purchases made between August 2016 and February 2026, totaling around £2 billion. Sony defends its distribution model, claiming third-party stores pose security and privacy risks. The trial, which began on March 10th, is expected to last nine weeks.
(Source：TechRadar)