Sony’s PlayStation faces a £5 billion fine amidst allegations of exploiting UK custome

Author

Noushin

Date

Aug, 23.2022

Sony, one of the most renowned PlayStation brands in the market, is being sued for 5 billion pounds in the United Kingdom for overcharging its users for their digital gaming purchases. This comes at a time when the brand has been accused of selling overpriced games and exploiting its customers regularly for over six years now.

The lawsuit filed could drag the PlayStation brand to the courts, with nearly 9 million customers from the UK claiming to have been a victim of such a price surge. It was further detailed that the brand "ripped off users" by adding a 30% commission to all digital games and in-game purchases made through the PlayStation Store. 

The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal, which hears antitrust complaints, received the claim, and consumer rights specialist Alex Neill filed the lawsuit. In an interview with Sky News, Neill pointed out how Sony had taken advantage of its position and exploited its customers. He further stressed that with this legal action, he has chosen to stand up for the millions of UK customers who have been unwittingly overcharged. 

Natasha Pearman, who is in charge of the investigation, has stressed the anti-consumer measures implemented over time. "Sony dominates the digital distribution of PlayStation games and in-game content; it has deployed an anti-competitive strategy which has resulted in excessive prices to customers that are out of all proportion to the costs of Sony providing its services."

As per reports, if the allegations are proved in court, users of the PlayStation Network since August 19, 2016, will be eligible to request compensation. The class action lawsuit's projected damages, excluding interest, range from $78 to $661 for each individual claimant. With Sony being slapped with a lawsuit that could change the existing market for the company, they have yet to release a statement on the matter.