Sony Says New DRM Policy on PS5 and PS4 is a 'One-Time Online Check' - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 May 2026 / 2,622 Views
PlayStation has confirmed the following reports that it had added a DRM check that requires a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 to be connected to the internet within 30 days for newly purchased digital PS5 and PS4 games.
To clarify to fans the DRM check will only happen once in order to confirm a game's license.
"Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual," a PlayStation representative told Game File. "A one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are needed."
The representative didn't go into details as to why it has been added, but people have speculated it was done to prevent hackers from using an exploit in PlayStation's refund system that lets players automatically claim a refund on digital game purchases if they are within 14 days of purchase.
A hacked PS4 console could be used to extract an indefinite license applied to games that were refunded, which let them own a game without having to pay.
This new 30 day timer added to newly purchased PS5 and PS4 digital games will be given an indefinite license after the 14 day period. This will block hackers from using the exploit.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.
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I read up on the exploit and I am blown away but what people come up with to cheat and scam.
@CosmicSex - I was thinking the same thing lol. I can't fault Sony here, as I think their solution seems reasonable. They could have issued temporary 14 day licenses to align exactly with the refund policy, but instead went with 30 days to give legitimate users a bit of a grace period for strange edge cases (you buy a digital game, then for some reason go offline on day 14 but still can continue playing that digital game for another couple weeks until you have to go online to grab the permanent license).
Hopefully it transtitions from the 15th day from the first time the game is booted up, that would be optimal.
Regardless, communation needs to be quicker on Sony's end.
Agreed. Sony can’t just stealthily drop these sort if things.
Sony PR made a very bad job here.
They need to make the "One-Time Online Check" crystal clear.
Haters just need to "smell" the smoke and they will create fire, even if the forest is safe and sound.
Fair enough.
So in other words, we are testing the DRM system on PS5/PS4 users so PS6 users can have the full plate of DRM. Got it.
This sounds like a behind closed doors backpedal on reactions, so they nurse the customers into it. 1 check for now, then increase it once people are use to it.
I mean, how much of this is genuine and how much is them trying to slowly shove DRM down everyone's throats is anyone's guess but I'd rather complain when they try to push nonsense than preemptively complain when they push what sounds like a reasonable solution to a reasonable problem.
If this was the reaction to a poorly communicated non-issue imagine if they went the full way... It already almost killed Xbox 13 years ago and they're still paying the price to this day.
Its how it all starts. Much like how people complained about the all digital hardware, now its a standard. Every small step leads into the next.
Those who are smart see this as a future push, and its not a matter of "If" but "When"
What almost killed Xbox 13 years ago, majority of those practices are accepted today.
I wouldn't expect less from you, lol.
Always the worst posts around.
And you never say anything with a hint of intellect. DM me if you have a problem, otherwise go back into your hole.
Keep fighting your petty war brother, it's really funny.
Of course I won't DM you, everybody deserves to keep laughing at it.
What are you even talking about. If you have a problem, DM me, otherwise stop derailing the article and the topic at hand.
Am I the one derailing the article when you come to post your wet dreams of Sony doing full DRM on PS6? Or Saying what screwed the Xbox One reveal, like 24 hours online checks, not being able to play used games or being mandatorily bundled with something nobody wanted are somehow accept practices today? LOL.
Hahaha, don't worry, I know you very well, you have been fighting and hoping for Playstation to go under while championing Microsoft every single time you post, since before you even made an account here, maybe someday you'll get your wish granted, not today tho, keep waiting, and keep entertaining us!
What are you on about? You dont know me, you know nothing about me. We never had a proper discussion in anything outside your console war targeting post BS.
I am calling out the fluff in this article, nothing more.
So again, stop derailing and turning this into some personal attack. Dont like my opinion, then ignore it. Simple fix. If you got a personal issue with me, DM me and dont be scared.
You are calling out the fluff in the article? Hahahaha.
Yes. The backpedalling by Sony is just to calm the storm before the real storm hits.
See, this is the kind of pathetic stuff you post and still want to be taken seriously. As I said, I have seen you do it since N4G, before you even made an account here.
Never change, lol.
You obviously have a problem with free speech.
Like i said, grow a pair, and DM me, otherwise leave your personal attacks off the public forums.
I have a problem with your bullshit. And this nonsense about free speech... coming from someone wanting to hide within DMs is really funny.
You keep posting your BS, I keep calling you out on it, that's how it is.
Don't worry, your future from 2013 still hasn't come close to happen in 2026, keep wishing and keep us entertained.
You have a huge problem with it, and personal attacking is agaisnt forum rules. And sadly, you have called nothing out, apart from your agression and pretending to be some big tough guy behind a keyboard.
I am respecting the forums rules. You know my account, you know where to find me.
It's simple, you come post the same BS as ever, you'll be called on it, nothing that almost killed the Xbox One 13 years ago are accepted practises today.
In the meantime, I'll keep laughing at your pathetic posts, lol.
