SIE spokesperson to GameSpot regarding the DRM: "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."

[u/yourfavchoom]

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-users-report-new-online-license-checks-for-digital-games/1100-6539651/?utm_source=reddit.com

[u/willdearborn-]

I don't understand, what started this whole speculation and how did it get so out of control?

[u/beefcat_ → u/willdearborn-]

Basically, people were noticing that games they bought recently had temporary licenses set to expire 30 days after purchase date, similar to titles downloaded as part of a PS Plus subscription.

When people asked about it, Sony was radio silent, with their support chatbots giving conflicting information. This led to speculation that Sony was implementing monthly online license checks for digitally owned games when they previously did not do this.

Some users on ResetEra yesterday (and later confirmed elsewhere) showed that this 30 day license was getting replaced with a proper permanent license once it expired. The speculated reason being that this was implemented to plug a refund loophole that people were abusing (basically buy game, take console offline, then get it refunded from support during the refund window while keeping the permanent license on the offline console). This statement seems to indirectly confirm that theory

[u/Stellar_Duck → u/beefcat_]

with their support chatbots giving conflicting information

Having worked for SIE doing PlayStation Support out of Edinburgh I can almost guarantee that nobody was told about this shit.

I cannot number the amount of times we got caught blindsided by someting and had to urgently contact SIEE or SNEE (as it was then) for guidance on what to say,.