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After unexplained bans, PlayStation users report their accounts have been restored

After unexplained bans, PlayStation users report their accounts have been restored

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There were hundreds of reports of users locked out of their PlayStation accounts and systems without warning on Monday.

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An illustration of the PlaySation “PS” logo overlayed on swooping blue and teal colors
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Many PlayStation Network users reported Monday that their accounts were unexpectedly permanently suspended. As of Tuesday morning, many of the people who had received the messages now say their accounts have been restored. Some of them contacted customer service while others did not, but nearly a day after the issues began, Sony hasn’t commented publicly or responded to us about the wave of bans or the restorations that followed.

A message to one user read: “This account is permanently suspended from PlayStation Network due to violations of the PlayStation Network Terms of Service and User Agreement.”

It’s unclear how widespread the problems are. I booted up my PS5 and was able to jump into Baldur’s Gate 3 and Fortnite just like I normally would, and I was also able to log in to the iOS PlayStation app without seeing a ban. However, there were numerous posts on Reddit about getting the same thing, and a look at PlayStation accounts on Facebook and Instagram shows dozens of people who’ve received similar notices in the last few hours. The gaming forum ResetEra showed many people experiencing problems, and we heard from multiple Verge readers who wrote into our tips inbox.

Some people who received these suspensions were understandably distraught, as they may have spent a lot of money on digital PlayStation games that they couldn’t access.

No network or account problems were listed on Sony’s “important notices” PlayStation support page, and the company hasn’t posted about them on its PlayStation or Ask PlayStation social accounts on X (formerly Twitter).

Update December 5th, 10:45AM ET: Added reports of PlayStation accounts being restored overnight.