Have you ever purchased an app or game online, only to see it vanish from your library without warning? It’s an experience that leaves many scratching their heads in frustration. To address this, governments are stepping up to protect consumers and bring clarity to the world of digital purchases.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California has recently signed AB 2426 into law, a measure aimed at ensuring transparency when purchasing digital goods like games, music, movies, and ebooks. Under this law, online platforms must clearly state whether you’re actually buying the product outright or simply obtaining a license to access it. The law is designed to help consumers understand what they’re truly paying for.
Some digital platforms, like Steam, are already taking steps to comply with these rules, even though they won’t be enforced until next year. For example, Steam now makes it clear that you’re purchasing a “license for the product on Steam” rather than owning the game itself. It’s a subtle but important distinction.
In practical terms, this means when you buy a license, you’re granted access to the content, but your right to that access can be revoked if the content is removed for any reason. It’s a temporary arrangement, unlike owning a physical copy or even a downloadable file, where your access remains secure regardless of changes in service.
