FTC asked to implement and enforce clearer rules on digital product ownership

In a nutshell: Senator Ron Wyden is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to ensure consumers understand what they're actually buying when they purchase digital goods. In a letter to newly appointed FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, Wyden urged the agency to issue guidance requiring online storefronts to clarify to customers whether a digital product is a permanent purchase or merely a temporary license. In a letter obtained by The Verge, Wyden pointed out that many consumers don't realize digital purchases don't come with the same rights as physical ones. If you buy a book, it's yours – you can lend it, resell it, or keep it forever. However, digital versions often come with restrictions that aren't immediately clear. Furthermore, many platforms reserve the right to remove access, alter content, or revoke purchases entirely – sometimes without warning. The senator pointed to several recent examples of consumers losing access to content they thought they owned. In late 2023, Sony informe ... Read full article.