consumer rights Archives

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Ubisoft lawyers say players never owned The Crew

Ubisoft's lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit from California gamers, arguing that players do not have an inherent expectation of ownership after purchasing a game. This lawsuit follows the retirement of the online game The Crew in 2024, ten years after its release. Ubisoft's legal team stated that the game's closure was communicated on the product packaging and noted that the plaintiffs' claims include violations of California’s False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, as well as accusations of common law fraud and breach of warranty. The plaintiffs have amended their complaint to include a claim regarding unspent in-game currency, suggesting it may violate state law requiring gift cards to retain validity indefinitely.

Tech Optimizer

February 26, 2025

FTC Announces Refund Claims Process for Avast Customers Impacted by Deceptive Privacy Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a complaint against Avast for deceptive marketing practices related to its antivirus software, claiming it misled users about protecting their privacy while collecting and selling browsing data. As part of a settlement, Avast will pay .5 million to compensate affected consumers and is prohibited from misrepresenting its data usage or selling browsing data for advertising. The FTC will notify approximately 3.7 million consumers who purchased Avast software between August 2014 and January 2020, with emails expected by March 7, 2025. Eligible individuals can file claims online by June 5, 2025, without needing to pay or provide sensitive information. The FTC has also reported over million in refunds to consumers in 2024.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Ask Jerry: What can I do about dishonest app developers?

Red Sky Labs has altered its business model, raising concerns about the integrity of promises made to consumers who invested in lifetime services. This change violates consumer protection laws and platform guidelines. Many consumers feel discouraged about pursuing small claims, such as five dollars, despite the principle of accountability. The cumulative effect of small grievances can lead to significant losses. Red Sky Labs has over 100 million downloads on Google Play, highlighting its influence. Consumers are encouraged to report issues, utilize social media for support, and engage with tech publications to raise awareness.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

2024 was the year gamers really started pushing back on the erosion of game ownership

The landscape of digital game ownership has come under scrutiny as digital distribution increases, leading gamers to question their true ownership of purchased titles. Many high-profile games have disappeared from digital platforms, including Sony's Concord, which was discontinued just 11 days after launch. The Stop Killing Games campaign, initiated by YouTuber Ross Scott, gained traction after Ubisoft shut down The Crew, a decade-old racing game, making it unplayable due to server and licensing issues. The campaign advocates for classifying video games as "goods" rather than "services," arguing that purchased games should not be rendered inoperable. The petition has over 400,000 signatures, aiming for a million by July 2025 to prompt the EU to consider a ban on making multiplayer games unplayable. Steam has updated its disclaimers regarding ownership in response to these issues, influenced by a new Californian law requiring retailers to inform consumers about the revocability of digital games. GOG has positioned itself as a champion of consumer rights, ensuring that purchased games remain with the buyer indefinitely and allowing users to bequeath their game libraries. Industry leaders, including Michael Douse from Larian Studios, have expressed concerns about the implications of losing ownership for developers. While some publishers recognize the value of preserving older titles, others remain less attuned to this importance. The conversation around ownership and preservation is intensifying, highlighting that players do not truly own their games on platforms like Steam, where access can be revoked at any time.

AppWizard

October 15, 2024

Steam now confirms you’re buying a license, not a game — here’s why that sucks

Valve's update to the Steam storefront clarifies that purchasing a game on Steam grants a license rather than ownership, stating that "The Content and Services are licensed, not sold." This change has raised concerns among Steam's 123 million active users, especially in light of California's “AB 2426,” which requires digital storefronts to inform consumers that they are acquiring a license instead of outright ownership. The law affects various digital products, and non-compliance could lead to fines. An example of the implications of this shift is seen with Ubisoft's The Crew, which was delisted from Steam, resulting in users losing access to the game. This situation has prompted some users to reconsider their purchasing habits and consider physical copies for true ownership.

AppWizard

October 12, 2024

Steam checkout banner clarifies you don’t own the game you buy — GOG takes a jab at Steam, saying it gives users offline installers that cannot be taken away | Tom’s Hardware

Steam has updated its shopping cart page to include a banner stating, “A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam,” in response to California's AB 2426 legislation, which requires sellers of digital goods to clarify consumer rights regarding ownership. Steam operates on a licensing model, meaning users do not have outright ownership of games, and if a developer removes a title, it disappears from the user's library, although downloaded games remain accessible. In contrast, GOG allows users to retain purchased games indefinitely, regardless of developer actions, and has hinted at introducing a similar message emphasizing permanent access. The debate over licensing versus purchasing reflects broader concerns about digital ownership in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

October 12, 2024

Steam’s new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don’t actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers ‘cannot be taken away from you’

Steam has added a message on its shopping cart page stating that a purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam, clarifying that users do not acquire ownership of a game. This update follows Valve's revision of its subscriber agreement and comes amid ongoing discussions about digital ownership and consumer rights. The message likely responds to consumer backlash against game publishers who have discontinued support for online titles, as seen in incidents like Ubisoft's discontinuation of services for The Crew. Additionally, a new California law requires retailers to inform consumers that digital games can be revoked at any time, prompting Valve's proactive measure to ensure compliance. GOG is also reviewing its checkout messaging in light of these developments.

AppWizard

October 11, 2024

Valve now warns Steam consumers they are buying license not game

Valve has implemented a new warning for Steam users stating that purchasing a game grants a license to access it, not ownership. This change is in response to California's upcoming legislation, AB 2426, effective in 2025, which aims to clarify the terms of digital purchases. The legislation addresses concerns about consumers losing access to purchased digital items and seeks to enhance consumer protections in the digital marketplace.

AppWizard

September 27, 2024

As California forces stores to admit you don’t own digital games, GOG reminds PC gamers you can keep DRM-free games: “Your gaming legacy is always in your hands”

California has enacted a law requiring digital storefronts to use transparent language, prohibiting terms like "buy" for digital goods. This law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will take effect next year. GOG, a digital storefront known for its DRM-free offerings, emphasizes user autonomy by allowing offline installers for games, enabling players to retain access regardless of licensing issues or server shutdowns. GOG reassured customers that they can still play their games even in adverse circumstances. Unlike platforms like Steam, GOG allows users to download and back up game installers, although it retains the right to revoke access to re-download titles. The gaming community recently gathered 23,000 data dumps to preserve digital content before Nintendo's shutdown of the 3DS and Wii U servers.

Tech Optimizer

September 24, 2024

New group launched to promote ‘Made in UAE’ paper, tissue products across local, international markets

A new business group called DuPAT has been established in the UAE under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to support the paper and tissue industry. It aims to enhance the visibility of 'Made in UAE' products and promote sustainable practices in line with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 goal. The tissue and hygiene paper market in the UAE is valued at approximately 5 million, with the kraft paper segment also significant. DuPAT will ensure compliance with GCC standards for tissue and paper products to protect consumer rights and foster fair competition. The paper and pulp industry in the Middle East and Africa is projected to exceed billion in the next six to seven years, with increasing consumer awareness driving growth in the tissue sector. The UAE's tissue and hygiene paper market is expected to grow by 1.94% from 2024 to 2029.