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Class Action Lawsuit Against Sony PlayStation Network
The Clark Law Firm, PC has brought a class action lawsuit against Sony PlayStation Network to seek a remedy for over 77 million consumers arising out of one of the largest data breaches in the history of the Internet. According to the complaint entitled Varela v. Sony Entertainment America, Sony allegedly failed to take reasonable care to protect, encrypt, and secure the private and sensitive data of its users which led to the intrusion that caused over 77 million customers the loss of their personal and private information, including customer names, addresses, e-mail addresses, birthdays, PlayStation Network and Qriocity user names and passwords, and possibly credit card related data. The complaint further alleges that Sony “made an economic business decision” to use “substandard and ineffective electronic security measures.”
The value of stolen credit-card numbers diminishes each day after a data breach becomes known because users and bank-card issuers typically step up monitoring. Nevertheless, it is alleged Sony failed to notify users of the security breach and potential that their personal identifiable information had been compromised for one week. This delay in notification prevented users from taking the necessary steps to monitor and attempt to safeguard their personal information.
In addition to the stolen/compromised personal identifiable information, users of the PlayStation Network have also experienced an inability to access the network which was shut down as a result of the security breach. Users of the PlayStation Network had prepaid for access to the network, which was terminated as of April 20, 2011. Sony acknowledged that the security breach left the network temporarily unavailable, preventing users from having the “ability to enjoy the services provided by PlayStation Network and Qriocity including online gaming and online access to music, movies, sports and TV shows.” Consequently, Sony implemented a phased restoration of the network that had it up and running in North America by mid-May.
On May 1, Sony issued a press release and their sincerest apologies stating that the PlayStation Network would shortly begin a “phased restoration”, starting with gaming, music and video services. Sony also announced “a series of immediate steps to enhance security across the network and a new customer appreciation program to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty”. On May 5, Sony announced that they would be offering all PlayStation Network and Qriocity account holders in the United States one free year of AllClear ID Plus, an identity theft protection program powered by Debix.
The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation for the data loss and loss of use of the Sony PlayStation Network, credit monitoring, and other relief according to proof. The Clark Law Firm, PC brought this lawsuit on behalf of consumers to learn the full extent of Sony PlayStation Network data security practices and the data loss and to seek a remedy for consumers. We are confident that Sony will take this opportunity to learn from the network vulnerabilities, provide a remedy to consumers who entrusted their sensitive data to Sony, and lead the way in data security best practices in the future.
If you are a subscriber to the PlayStation Network and would like to inquire whether you have a claim related to a data or personal information breach, contact the NJ consumer class action lawyers with the Clark Law Firm, PC.
