Have you ever purchased digital content, only to have it disappear unexpectedly, leaving you unable to access it? It’s a frustrating and often confusing situation that has led governments to take action to ensure transparency for consumers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a new law, AB 2426, which aims to make it clear when consumers are buying digital content like games, movies, or music. The law requires online stores to explicitly state whether customers are actually purchasing ownership of the content or merely obtaining a license to access it.
Some digital services are already responding to these new regulations. Steam, for instance, now informs users that when they buy a game, they’re actually purchasing a license to use it on the platform, not owning the game outright. This adjustment is designed to help consumers better understand what they are getting for their money.
This distinction matters because when you purchase a license, you are granted permission to use the content, but if the platform loses the rights to offer that content, you may lose access to it as well. By contrast, buying a downloadable file means you can keep the content permanently, even if the service changes. Understanding this difference can prevent the shock of losing access to your favorite digital items.