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Sony Europe Gets Fined For 2011 PSN Hacking

 

The infamous global PlayStation Network breach that took place in 2011 is still living on for Sony. Today Sony Computer Entertainment Europe was fined £250,000 by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

According to ICO, Sony is accountable for putting its users at risk because they failed to make sure the network was secure enough. The ICO further confirmed that if Sony’s software was up-to-date the entire hack could have been prevented, but does acknowledge that Sony was maliciously targeted. 

“If you are responsible for so many payment card details and log-in details then keeping that personal data secure has to be your priority. In this case that just didn’t happen, and when the database was targeted – albeit in a determined criminal attack – the security measures in place were simply not good enough," says deputy commissioner and director of data protection, David Smith. 

Although, no proof exists to show that credit card details or personal data was accessed for fraudulent use, it’s still the risk that made the ICO decide on the fine. 

You can read the full report here

[Via: Gamespot]

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Comments
  • I know its not good they got hacked, but I dont think Sony Europe should get the blame for it happening.
  • I don't care what anyone says, Sony should not be held responsible for the attack.
  • While I agree Sony made a mistake, I also don't believe they deserve a fine like that. I mean, what is the standard for security measures in Sony's situation? How does ICO determine that? Did the ICO do the research? Or did they just arbitrarily decide that because it happened at all, Sony needs to pay a fine? Lamesauce I say lamesauce!
  • Good!! Maybe they will up their security!!! LOL! Just kidding!! This is sooo old. Sony shouldn't be held responsible. That's like if someone breaks into your house and steals all your stuff the cops have the right to charge you a fine. Sony should fight this.
  • I got free games, didn't lose any info, and got to focus on single player games. Leave sony alone.
  • a fine, i agree because when you agree to sony terms when you create an account, you should be comfortable knowing that your information is safe and it wasn't...of course it's the hackers fault, but with that kind of information,sony should know better and i'm a sony fan for life...make sure this doesn't happen again...

  • How "sure" are they that security was not good enough? If enough people put their minds to it, it isn't impossible to attack most systems. This really all depends on how sony's security was "inadequate" and what would be considered a "reasonable" amount of security.

  • I think there's only so much you can do to keep technology secure and private.  I doubt it was Sony's incompetence that got them hacked, but a flaw that should be expected from any data stored on a server.  Anything can get hacked these days.

    I think the only reason why they're getting fined is because they can't exactly pinpoint all of the exact perpetrators of the crime.  Otherwise, the spotlight would be on them.

  • LoL a little to late for finger pointing. I was the person who hacked the mainframe! They should fine me.
  • I think they just saw a chance to get some money and took it, otherwise why didn't they fine them way earlier? On side note to the people who are concerned, I finished my Video Game essay. I'm not going to post it anywhere because the teacher gutted the thing away from what I wanted to write about.
  • THAT'S WHY XBOX IS BETTER. YOU BARELY HEAR THIS. THAT'S FOR BEING CHEAP. XBOX FOR LIFE
  • This is something that could have been done in the past or not at all. Now this is just an opportunity for a quick cash grab.

  • Sony can't get a break..

  • Gotta love when the courts punish the victim.
  • Shoot. Sony's gotta build higher virtual fences.

  • Europe is so desperate for cash they are going after everyone to get it. They have fined so many companies it's not even funny, and lets not forget their criminal tax rates.
  • As much as I think it is wrong that they are fining Sony Europe but then again this would have NEVER HAD HAPPENED if they had never slacked on their security. So this is perfectly legal as they risked a lot of people and really really wonder if anyone truly was ruined by this. There is no news on that at all sadly. Still mostly there are a few people who's credit score ruined thanks to these Hackers.

  • I know it was bad that they got hacked into but I don't believe that Sony Europe should get fined for it.  Just let them keep up security and everything is fine.

  • A determined criminal hacker can potentially get into anywhere they want.
    When you have more than one...
  • I don't quite agree with the fine, but hopefully Sony won't leave information unencrypted from now on.
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