Sony says new PlayStation DRM only requires a one-time online license check
Recent reports claimed that new PS4 and PS5 digital purchases had a 30-day license timer.
Sony has clarified recent reports about new online license checks for digital PlayStation games. The company now says that PS4 and PS5 users do not need recurring online check-ins to keep playing purchased digital titles.
According to a statement, a one-time online check is required to confirm the game license. After that check is completed, Sony says no further check-ins are required. The statement follows several days of reports and user tests suggesting that newer PlayStation Store purchases included a 30-day license timer.
Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual. A one-time online check is required to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are required.
— Sony Interactive Enterinament Spokesperson
This appears to apply to digital PS4 and PS5 games purchased after March 2026. Older purchases were reportedly not affected by the same behavior. The timer was said to appear on PS4, while some reports claimed PS5 tracked the same requirement in the background.
The concern was that Sony had introduced a recurring DRM requirement for digital purchases. That would have meant users could lose access to newer digital games if a console stayed offline for more than 30 days. Sony’s statement says this is not the case once the license has been verified.
The reason for the change has not been confirmed by Sony. It is believed that checks may be linked to fraud prevention, including refund abuse or recent exploit reports, but this remains speculation.
Source: Kotaku
