The Consumer Rights Act 2015 was one of the first laws in the world to give digital content its own set of consumer rights. Whether it’s an app, a download, a game, an e-book or a stream, it must be of satisfactory quality, fit for any particular purpose you made known, and as described. These rights cover paid-for content, and free content that comes with something you paid for.

Something gone wrong?

Know your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and put it in writing.

Your remedies

If digital content is faulty, you’re entitled to a repair or replacement — a fix, patch or re-supply — and, where that isn’t possible or isn’t done properly, a price reduction or a refund. There’s also a distinctive extra protection: if faulty digital content damages your device or other content you own, and the trader didn’t use reasonable care and skill, you can require them to repair the damage or compensate you.

A worked example

You buy and download a game that corrupts other files on your console. The game should have been of satisfactory quality — and because it damaged content you owned, you may be entitled to have that damage put right or be compensated, on top of a remedy for the game itself.

Common questions

Does this cover free apps?

Free content is covered where it comes with goods, services or content you paid for — and the device-damage remedy can apply to free content too.

Is a streaming subscription “goods” or “digital content”?

Streamed and downloaded content is treated as digital content, with the quality rights above.

What to do next

Report the fault to the seller or platform and ask for a repair, replacement or refund. If they refuse, see Legal claims and check the provider in our Complaints Directory.

Sources

Consumer Rights Act 2015, ss. 34–36 (quality rights), 42–46 (remedies, incl. damage to a device) — legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15. Reviewed: 3 September 2026.