Examiner
With the PSN users and credit information compromised, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) is demanding answers from Sony's CEO over the company's "failure to notify millions of customers of a data breach in the PlayStation Network on April 20, 2011."
The Senator echoed many thoughts over the past couple of days since Sony admitted that personal information may have been stolen by saying, "Compounding this concern is the troubling lack of notification from Sony about the nature of the data breach. Although the breach occurred nearly a week ago, Sony has not notified customers of the intrusion, or provided information that is vital to allowing individuals to protect themselves from identity theft, such as informing users whether their personal or financial information may have been compromised."
The letter appears to have been written and delivered prior to Sony's revelation that personal and credit card information stored on the Playstation Network had been compromised. Whether or not it had any effect in Sony putting out the notice is unclear at this time. However, some of Blumenthal's demands including free access to credit reporting services for two years and sufficient insurance to protect them from the possible financial consequences of identity theft was not part of Sony's response. Instead, the company provided credit reporting agencies with the names and contact information of PSN users to have a fraud alert placed on their account at no charge.
The full text of the letter sent from Senator Blumenthal to Sony CEO Jack Tretton is below.
Dear Mr. Tretton:
I am writing regarding a recent data breach of Sony’s PlayStation Network service. I am troubled by the failure of Sony to immediately notify affected customers of the breach and to extend adequate financial data security protections.
It has been reported that on April 20, 2011, Sony’s PlayStation Network suffered an “external intrusion” and was subsequently disabled. News reports estimate that 50 million to 75 million consumers – many of them children – access the PlayStation Network for video and entertainment. I understand that the PlayStation Network allows users to store credit card information online to facilitate the purchasing of content such as games and movies through the PlayStation Network. A breach of such a widely used service immediately raises concerns of data privacy, identity theft, and other misuse of sensitive personal and financial data, such as names, email addresses, and credit and debit card information.
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. 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.
I am concerned that PlayStation Network users’ personal and financial information may have been inappropriately accessed by a third party. Compounding this concern is the troubling lack of notification from Sony about the nature of the data breach. Although the breach occurred nearly a week ago, Sony has not notified customers of the intrusion, or provided information that is vital to allowing individuals to protect themselves from identity theft, such as informing users whether their personal or financial information may have been compromised. Nor has Sony specified how it intends to protect these consumers.
PlayStation Network users deserve more complete information on the data breach, as well as the assurance that their personal and financial information will be securely maintained. I appreciate your prompt response on this important issue.
Sincerely,
/s/
Richard Blumenthal
United States Senate
