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UK Class Action Seeks £2 Billion From Sony Over PlayStation Store Pricing

An opt-out claim targeting the PlayStation Store’s closed model now proceeds to a March 10 tribunal hearing.

Overview

  • Consumer advocate Alex Neill filed the case on behalf of an estimated 12.2 million UK PlayStation users.
  • The claim covers digital game and in‑game purchases from August 19, 2016 to February 12, 2026, with about £162 per eligible person if successful.
  • The lawsuit alleges Sony holds a dominant position, blocks rival download systems, and enables inflated prices through a 30% commission.
  • Sony counters that third‑party stores would raise security and privacy risks and that commissions help cross‑subsidize low‑margin console hardware.
  • The Competition Appeal Tribunal in London is scheduled to hear the case from March 10 for roughly 10 weeks, following a recent ruling against Apple that is under appeal.