Sony erases digital content from libraries; reminded we don't own what we buy
Sony has removed purchased digital content from users' libraries, sparking debate about digital ownership. The incident serves as a reminder that consumers do not truly own digital purchases in the same way they own physical media.
Background
Sony recently revoked users' access to digital content they had purchased — removing licensed shows and movies from people's libraries without refunds. This is not a glitch: it's how digital "purchases" legally work. When you buy a movie on PlayStation Store or Amazon Prime Video, you're really buying a revocable license, not the file itself. The company can pull it whenever its streaming rights expire. This echoes earlier incidents (e.g., Amazon deleting purchased Kindle books, or Ubisoft shutting down online-only games players had "bought"). It highlights the core tension of modern media ownership — physical discs give you permanent access; digital stores give you convenience, but no lasting rights.