Russian PlayStation users are once again facing significant disruption, with reports emerging of widespread account blocks. This latest action appears to target individuals who have attempted to circumvent regional sales restrictions by utilizing foreign-registered accounts for purchasing games or subscriptions.
According to information circulating among affected users and corroborated by local reports, the restrictions are being applied shortly after a purchase is made via a non-Russian account. Users report losing access to the PlayStation Network (PSN), rendering their purchased games and services inaccessible.
Attempts by impacted users to seek assistance from technical support have reportedly been unsuccessful. Support staff are cited as declining requests for account unblocking, reportedly referencing directives received from Sony`s main corporate offices.
This development follows Sony Interactive Entertainment`s decision in March 2022 to suspend all software and hardware shipments to Russia, as well as halt the operation of the PlayStation Store within the country. The move effectively limited official avenues for Russian gamers to acquire new content, leading some to explore alternative methods, such as using foreign accounts or purchasing physical copies imported via grey markets.
The current wave of blocks suggests Sony is actively monitoring and enforcing its regional sales policies, particularly regarding digital purchases made outside the officially supported channels for the Russian market. For users who invested in content through these workarounds, this action effectively turns a potentially cheaper or available game into an expensive, inaccessible digital asset.
While Sony has not issued a public statement specifically addressing these recent account blocks, the reported response from technical support points towards a deliberate, centrally directed enforcement action. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Russian consumers in accessing international digital goods and services following various company withdrawals and restrictions.
Finley Holt