Searches for PS5 hacking have significantly increased following Sony's announcement to stop producing physical games starting in 2028, as Google data showed a rise in searches for the phrase 'PS5 jailbreak'. Activity within online hacking communities has also surged. Hacking the device allows running unofficial applications and backups of games, as well as the ability to play digital games in unauthorized ways. Additionally, the price of one of the Star Wars games used in one of the hacking methods has risen due to increased demand.
It seems that Sony's decision to fully transition to digital distribution, along with the closure of old platform stores and the removal of some digital movies from user accounts, has raised concerns about the long-term ownership of digital content. As a result, more players have begun discussing hacking and emulation as a means to maintain access to games, while others see that these developments have drawn more users to digital piracy.