Sony Offers Users Compensation For 2011 PlayStation Network Breach

Sony has begun contacting users of its online gaming network to inform them of how they can receive compensation for a hacking incident that occurred in 2011.

Sony agreed to offer up to $15m ($10m) in compensation for the hack under the terms of a US-based class action lawsuit the company settled last year, with the offer open to anyone who held a PlayStation Network, Qriocity or Sony Online Entertainment account before 15 May 2011.

The hack affected users worldwide, but because the lawsuit was US-based, only US users are eligible.

Users can file a claim on PSNSOESettlement.com, with compensation options including three months of free PlayStation Plus, free themes or a free PlayStation3/PSP game download.

The PS3 games being offered are Dead Nation, inFamous, LittleBigPlanet, Super Stardust HD and rain, and Sony is offering the PSP games LittleBigPlanet, ModNation Racers, Patapon 3 and Killzone Liberation. Several of the games were already offered to users after the hack as part of a “Welcome Back” package.

Users can alternatively choose to cancel their account and cash out their PlayStation online wallets, while those who can prove they suffered identity theft as a result of the hack can claim reimbursement up to $2,500.

User data theft

The hack disabled online gaming for PlayStation 3 and PSP users for 23 days, and resulted in the theft of data from about 77 million accounts.

The company has returned to the spotlight due to more recent security incidents, including a high-profile attack on Sony Pictures and service outages in August and December that were caused by the hacking group Lizard Squad.

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