PS5
Review date: 11/02/2020
Sony's long-awaited next-gen console is finally here (for those lucky few who were able to get one). The new PS5 comes in both a regular edition with a disc drive and the cheaper digital edition without the drive. Beefed up power and high-quality graphical output will make games like Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel's Spiderman: Miles Morales, Gran Turismo 7, and more fun, fast, and beautiful. Here's hoping the rest of us can eventually buy one of these soon.
What could happen if something goes wrong
First off, SET UP TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION! If you don't set up two-factor authentication, someone could hack into your PlayStation account and buy a bunch of games on your credit card. That could get expensive. And new to the PS5, Sony will now be recording all Voice Chats in order to combat abuse during online gaming. Users experiencing abuse can submit recordings--no more than 40 seconds--of abusive voice interactions to Sony for review. There will be no way to opt out of this. Which is fine, because something needs to be done about abuse in online game. Just know, if you use the Voice Chat features on the new PS5 you are being recorded at all times. Finally, be aware that Sony may share your personal information with advertising and promotional partners. And when you play games from other companies on the platform, you may share your data with those third parties.
Privacy
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: No
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Tracks Location
Device: Yes
App: No
What is required to sign up?
Yes
Phone
No
Third party account
No
What data does it collect?
Personal
Name, email, phone number, address, date of birth
Biometric
Voice recordings
Social
PlayStation friends and followers
How does it use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record for protecting users’ data?
No known incidents in the last 2 years.
Can this product be used offline?
User friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Security
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Uses encryption in transit and at rest.
Strong password
You need a strong password to access your PlayStation Network account. You can set up a passcode for your PlayStation device.
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Sony has a bug bounty program, which means that anyone who finds a security issue and discloses it responsibly may get paid. https://hackerone.com/playstation
Privacy policy
A parent can control their child's ability to post or view user-generated content, including photos, videos, drawings, and content imported from outside sources (any of which might contain personal information) through the user-generated content control.
Artificial Intelligence
Does the product use AI?
Does the AI use your personal data to make decisions about you?
Does the company allow users to see how the AI works?
Sony has launched a new AI R&D division that will cover gaming. It was also reported that Sony was using AI to create soundtracks that react to how you play.
