Prohibit publishers irrevocably disabling video games they have already sold
The government should update consumer law to prohibit publishers from disabling video games (and related game assets / features) they have already sold without recourse for customers to retain or repair them. We seek this as a statutory consumer right.
Signatures
189,887
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 100,000/100,000 · reached
- 14 JUL 2025Petition closedFinal total: 189,887 signatures
- 02 JUL 2025100,000 signatures reachedEligible to be considered for debate
- 03 FEB 2025Government respondedDepartment for Culture, Media and SportGovernment reply
There are no plans to amend UK consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law and we will continue to monitor this issue.
Read full response - 18 JAN 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 14 JAN 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
Most video games sold can work indefinitely, but some have design elements that render the product non-functional at a time which the publisher controls, with no date provided at sale. We see this as a form of planned obsolescence, as customers can be deprived of their purchase and cannot retain or repair the game. We think this practice is hostile to consumers, entirely preventable, and have concerns existing laws do not address the problem. Thus, we believe government intervention is needed.