Fulu Offers $10,000 Bounty to Unlock Linux on PlayStation 5
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Ownership advocacy group targets Sony's software locks in a broader push for general-purpose computing.
The ownership advocacy organization Fulu has announced a $10,000 bounty for hackers who can disable Sony's proprietary software locks on the PlayStation 5, which would theoretically allow users to install an operating system like Linux. According to Wired, Fulu—led by consumer advocate Kevin O'Reilly and YouTuber Louis Rossmann—will provide the initial $10,000 and match additional donations up to another $10,000.
O'Reilly told Wired that the initiative is rooted in the belief that owners of hardware should be able to install the software of their choice, arguing that consoles possess significant computing power that could be repurposed for tasks such as setting up agentic AI systems or "vibe coding."
The push comes amid broader tensions regarding Sony's business model. Wired reports that Sony recently announced it is ending physical disc production for new PS5 games, a move that has caused concern among gamers and advocacy groups. These concerns are compounded by PlayStation's terms of service, which state that purchasing a digital game does not grant ownership, leading O'Reilly to suggest that users fear being "rug-pulled."
Fulu, which launched in late 2025, has previously paid bounties for fixes to Molekule air purifiers and Google Nest thermostats. However, bypassing digital locks may violate Section 1201 of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which carries penalties including fines and jail time. Consequently, Wired notes that winners are not required to release their fixes publicly, meaning a successful PS5 jailbreak may not be widely available.