Digital ownership in Canada is mostly a polite fiction. You buy the movie, the game, the scale, the heated seat, and what you actually get is permission to use it until the company changes its mind.

This conversation pulls the thread on a trend that keeps expanding into new territory. GTA 6, the most anticipated video game release in years, ships in a physical box with no disc inside, just a piece of paper with a download code. Smart scales have been bricked overnight when companies shut down servers. Heated seats in new cars sit locked behind monthly subscription fees. Digital movies bought years ago disappear when licensing agreements change. The pattern is the same every time: the purchase is real, the ownership is not. Shane and Ryan connect it to a broader habit of letting companies and governments offload responsibility onto consumers, the same move that spent decades telling people to feel guilty about recycling while the recycling went to incinerators.

You're not the owner. You're the subscriber who forgot to read the terms.

Topics: digital ownership, software licensing, GTA 6 disc controversy, subscription economy, consumer rights Canada

Originally aired on 2026-06-26

Digital ownership in Canada is mostly a polite fiction. You buy the movie, the game, the scale, the heated seat, and what you actually get is permission to use it until the company changes its mind.
This conversation pulls the thread on a trend that keeps expanding into new territory. GTA 6, the most anticipated video game release in years, ships in a physical box with no disc inside, just a piece of paper with a download code. Smart scales have been bricked overnight when companies shut down servers. Heated seats in new cars sit locked behind monthly subscription fees. Digital movies bought years ago disappear when licensing agreements change. The pattern is the same every time: the purchase is real, the ownership is not. Shane and Ryan connect it to a broader habit of letting companies and governments offload responsibility onto consumers, the same move that spent decades telling people to feel guilty about recycling while the recycling went to incinerators.
You're not the owner. You're the subscriber who forgot to read the terms.
Topics: digital ownership, software licensing, GTA 6 disc controversy, subscription economy, consumer rights Canada
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-06-26

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.