United States senator Richard Blumenthal is hopping mad—or in his words, "troubled"—by the lack of clear and timely communication from Sony over last week's PlayStation Network "intrusion." And he's got the sternly worded letter to prove it.
The attack on Sony's PlayStation Network and Qriocity service has gotten the attention of Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut who wrote to Sony Computer Entertainment America president Jack Tretton today. In that letter, Blumenthal writes that he is "troubled by the failure of Sony to immediately notify affected customers of the breach and to extend adequate financial data security protections."
Blumenthal says the attack "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." Drafting his letter before Sony owned up to a major data breach, the senator notes his concern that "users' personal and financial information may have been inappropriately accessed by a third party."
"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," he concludes in his letter which can be read in full below.
We've contacted SCEA reps for response to the senator's letter.
April 26, 2011
Mr. Jack Tretton
President and CEO
Sony Computer Entertainment America
919 East Hillsdale Boulevard
Foster City, CA USA 94404
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
