Sony says it has “a clear path to have PlayStation Network and Qriocity systems back online,” with expectations to restore “some services” within a week. But the continued shutdown of the company’s digital distribution network — sparked by what Sony has now elevated to an “illegal intrusion on our systems” — is now only part of the story, with the company informing PlayStation and Qriocity users yesterday that their personal information may have been compromised.
Sony’s announcement prompted a U.S. Senator, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), to demand that the company explain why it took more than a week to inform consumers of the potential security breach. “When a data breach occurs, it is essential that customers be immediately notified about whether and to what extent their personal and financial information has been compromised,” Blumenthal wrote to Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment of America. “PlayStation Network users should be provided with financial data security services, including free access to credit reporting services, for two years, the costs of which should be borne by Sony. Affected individuals should also be provided with sufficient insurance to protect them from the possible financial consequences of identity theft.”
On the company's PlayStation blog, Sony spokesman Patrick Seybold attempted to clarify the situation, stating that the company had hired “outside experts” to ascertain the nature of the intrusion following its discovery. “It was necessary to conduct several days of forensic analysis, and it took our experts until yesterday (April 25) to understand the scope of the breach. We then shared that information with our consumers and announced it publicly this afternoon (April 26).”
As many as 77 million customers utilize the PlayStation Network, according to a report in The New York Times.
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