Required for ps4 twitch sony account?

I just wanted to look around in the app but now it says that you need a sony account, has that always been the case?

A "Sony Account" means a SEN (Sony Entertainment Network) account. This is synonymous with the PSN account.

Yes, it was always the case that you need an account so that you can actually do something. Is free and so and so essential if you want to use a PS4.