https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/26/24254922/california-digital-purchase-disclosure-law-ab-2426 Skip to main content The Verge logo.The Verge homepage * The Verge homepageThe Verge logo./ * Tech/ * Reviews/ * Science/ * Entertainment/ * AI/ * MoreMenu The Verge logo. Menu * Law/ * Policy/ * Tech California's new law forces digital stores to admit you're just licensing content, not buying it California's new law forces digital stores to admit you're just licensing content, not buying it / Digital storefronts won't be able to use words like 'buy' or 'purchase' unless they make the disclosure. By Emma Roth, a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Sep 26, 2024, 1:53 PM UTC Share this story * * * An illustration of two hands emerging from phones, one holding a credit card and one holding cash. Image: Hugo Herrera / The Verge California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law (AB 2426) to combat "disappearing" purchases of digital games, movies, music, and ebooks. The legislation will force digital storefronts to tell customers they're just getting a license to use the digital media, rather than suggesting they actually own it. When the law comes into effect next year, it will ban digital storefronts from using terms like "buy" or "purchase," unless they inform customers that they're not getting unrestricted access to whatever they're buying. Storefronts will have to tell customers they're getting a license that can be revoked as well as provide a list of all the restrictions that come along with it. Companies that break the rule could be fined for false advertising. Related * PlayStation keeps reminding us why digital ownership sucks The new law won't apply to stores that offer "permanent offline" downloads and comes as a direct response to companies like PlayStation and Ubisoft. In April, Ubisoft started deleting The Crew from players' accounts after shutting down servers for the online-only game. And last year, Sony said it would remove purchased Discovery content from users' PlayStation libraries before walking back the move. "As retailers continue to pivot away from selling physical media, the need for consumer protections on the purchase of digital media has become increasingly more important," California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin said in a press release. "I thank the Governor for signing AB 2426, ensuring the false and deceptive advertising from sellers of digital media incorrectly telling consumers they own their purchases becomes a thing of the past." Forcing storefronts to disclose that they're just selling licenses won't stop them from taking away digital purchases, but it will at least make people more aware that what they're buying can be taken away at any time. Most Popular Most Popular 1. Don't ever hand your phone to the cops ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Meta's big tease ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The Toyota Prius and Rav4 are no longer Prime ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4. I played the PS5 Pro, and it's clearly better ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Marques Brownlee says 'I hear you' after fans criticize his new wallpaper app ----------------------------------------------------------------- Verge Deals / Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox weekly. Email (required)[ ]Sign up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. From our sponsor Advertiser Content FromSponsor logo Sponsor thumbnail More from Policy * Photo collage of a page full of ads for different products.Photo collage of a page full of ads for different products. Google says a closed ad ecosystem isn't anticompetitive -- it's just safer * Photo collage showing error messages over Congress.Photo collage showing error messages over Congress. 'Robot lawyer' company faces $193,000 fine as part of FTC's AI crackdown * Graphic collage of Mark Zuckerberg.Graphic collage of Mark Zuckerberg. Mark Zuckerberg says there's 'no causal connection' between social media and teen mental health * Photo collage of a pixelated student at a desk.Photo collage of a pixelated student at a desk. California's new law requires schools to limit phone use * Advertiser Content FromSponsor logo The Verge logo. * Cookie Settings * Terms of Use * Privacy Notice * Cookie Policy * Licensing FAQ * Accessibility * Platform Status * How We Rate and Review Products * Contact * Tip Us * Community Guidelines * About * Ethics Statement The Verge is a vox media network * Advertise with us * Jobs @ Vox Media (c) 2024 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved