[Update]: Sony Clarifies Timing of PSN Meltdown

[Update]: Sony has responded to Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal and the rest of the world's questioning of how and when the company responded to the PSN crisis.

On the Official PlayStation Blog, Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications and social media, clarified the timing and manner in which Sony addressed the meltdown.

"I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify a point and answer one of the most frequently asked questions today.

There’s a difference in timing between when we identified there was an intrusion and when we learned of consumers’ data being compromised. We learned there was an intrusion April 19th and subsequently shut the services down. We then brought in outside experts to help us learn how the intrusion occurred and to conduct an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the incident. It was necessary to conduct several days of forensic analysis, and it took our experts until yesterday to understand the scope of the breach. We then shared that information with our consumers and announced it publicly this afternoon.

For those who were looking there’s also an FAQ with some more frequently asked questions

Thank you for your continued patience and support."

[Original Story]: Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal has sent Sony of America president and CEO Jack Tretton a letter questioning the company's handling of the current PSN crisis.

1up.com has the letter, which starts with Blumenthal saying, " I am troubled by the failure of Sony to immediately notify affected customers of the breach and to extend adequate financial data security protections."

Sony's PSN problems first started last week when the company reported that PSN was down. Days later it admitted that it had taken the service down due to security concerns, and only today did the company acknowledge that users' profiles and possibly credit card info could be compromised.

"When a data breach occurs," Blumenthal instructs, "it is essential that customers be immediately notified about whether and to what extent their personal and financial information has been compromised. Additionally, 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."

Blumenthal concludes by requesting a "prompt response" to his letter. So do the millions of PSN users.