ALBAWABA - Sony recently stirred debate on social media after the tech giant patented an NFC feature that would let players pay with a card or phone using PlayStation controllers.
The feature works by tapping a card or phone on the controller. It could also offer users a convenient method to transfer their accounts to different consoles.
According to several reports, the patented concept can work via NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth, or physical contact by using vibrations, sounds, and lights to signal to the player that the device is connected. The feature also aims to make digital purchases easier for PlayStation users.
Sony has patented a way to pay for PlayStation digital content by using the controller to connect a phone to the console.The idea is to make “buying” games, DLC, and in-game items easier, a phone could send payment information through the controller so users would not have to… pic.twitter.com/jaI28e8Nj1
Being a patent, the concept could never see the light of day. However, the patent in question raised major security and privacy concerns on social media:
"Sony's cybersecurity track record seems especially problematic here."
"Are we CERTAIN we AREN’T living in and episode of Black Mirror?"
"Yes because I totally trust Sony with tech regarding financial transaction security."
"They can't get any scummier if they tried, and they are really trying."
We started with OD. Now, our partnership with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS is expanding to PHYSINT.We’re just getting started. https://t.co/IFpLGDSf8O pic.twitter.com/3ZtXwVzxSl
Sony has been swarmed with controversy following its most recent decisions. The most talked-about is its plan to kill physical PlayStation games in January 2028.
The tech giant recently claimed customers already know they don't own their digital games, saying "Buy Now" should be understood as licensing, not ownership.
Sony also recently raised eyebrows after dropping Hideo Kojima's upcoming stealth-action game "Physint."
The company issued a statement that read:
"An update from PlayStation Studios: After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from collaborating with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on its project PHYSINT. We continue to have great admiration for Hideo Kojima's vision for the game.
Our relationship remains strong after three decades of industry-leading, genre-defining creative cooperation, and we look forward to continued close collaboration with Hideo Kojima and his award-winning independent studio in the future."
In response, Kojima said goodbye to Sony and announced that his studio partnered with Xbox to release Physint.
A content creator/ writer by day and an artist by night. Khaled S. has a passion for all things entertainment including film, video games, and anime.
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