Data Leaks: Hacking of Sony’s PSN, Legal Proceedings
- In April 2011, Sony discovered its PlayStation Network (PSN) had been hacked. Now, users claim they have subsequently been affected by card frauds and file a complaint against the Japanese giant. A California-based law firm has been committed to grant financial compensation to its clients as well as full redeem of any potentially related banking fee. This lawsuit may become a class action.
- Some press articles claim that over two million bank card numbers were stolen and some rumours even state that these numbers are now for sale on the Internet. According to the New York Times, the database would cost 100,000 dollars.
- Several investigations are now being conducted: both the FBI and the American Department of Justice have been seized.
- Considering these evolutions, Sony recommends that PNS users be particularly cautious when checking their banking statements.
- Recent statements by Sony might indicate that the “known cost” of this hacking of its services (PlayStation Network, Qriocity and Sony Online Entertainment) could represent 172 million dollars in 2011-2012 exercise. As some 100 million user accounts have been affected by this penetration, other legal proceedings might be heard of later.
- On 25 April, some newspapers reported that bank information were among the overall stolen data, Sony informed its users of this issue the following day. Sony stored about 12.3 million activated and expired bank card numbers, among these, 5.6 million belonged to US customers.