Why activated keys can't be refunded

What "activated" means

A key counts as activated the moment it's successfully redeemed — typed into Steam, Rockstar Games Launcher, or Wargaming, or registered automatically for Ubisoft Connect titles. From that point, the game is permanently attached to your account on that platform.

Why this matters for refunds

Digital keys can't be "returned" the way a physical item can — once redeemed, there's no way to reverse the activation on the publisher's side. This is why checking your key status before activating matters if there's any chance you'll want a refund.