1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I’m writing as a constituent to urge you to support consumer protections for digital purchases, prompted by Sony’s July 1, 2026 announcement that it will end physical disc production for all new PlayStation games starting January 2028. This follows Sony’s own admission that consumers only receive “a personal license” for digital content proven days earlier when Sony announced it would delete 551 previously purchased movies and TV shows from customers’ PlayStation libraries with no refund, citing expired licensing agreements. This is not an isolated incident. Reports indicate Microsoft’s next Xbox console may also abandon discs entirely, and Nintendo has introduced “game-key cards” that require downloads even for physical purchases. As this trend spreads across gaming and extends into how movies and other media are distributed, consumers are losing the ability to truly own what they pay for, with no guaranteed right to resell, preserve, or keep access to purchased content. California has already taken action: AB 2426 now requires sellers to clearly disclose when a “purchase” is actually a revocable license. I ask you to support similar disclosure requirements at the federal level, and to back efforts like Senator Wyden’s request that the FTC issue clear guidance on digital ownership rights, including how long a license lasts, what can revoke it, and whether refunds are owed when access is removed. I’m also asking you to support legislation protecting consumers when companies withdraw access to games or media they’ve already paid for, ensuring refunds or alternatives are provided rather than leaving customers with nothing. As physical media disappears, consumers need enforceable rights in its place. I urge you to champion these protections. Thank you for your time and representation.