LONDON/NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Loyal PlayStation gamers are threatening to ditch Sony Corp after it disclosed that personal information for some 77 million user accounts was stolen from its computer systems in one of the biggest-ever data breaches.
“People care very deeply about a data breach. More so than with other issues,” said Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute. “When you get a letter telling you that your data has been lost or stolen, you get pretty ticked off with the company.”
Security experts say that Sony needs to account for the loss of that business — as well as damage to its brand — when it tallies up the cost of dealing with the breach. Other costs include notifying customers of the attack and bringing in experts to cleanse its network.
Altogether, the breach may cost Sony more than $1.5 billion, or an average of $20 for each of the 77 million customers whose data was compromised, according to Ponemon, whose firm specializes in securing information on computer networks.
Shoppers at London video-games stores said they might leave the network, PSN, which allows them to play games with 77 million other members and buy games online, while some gamers writing in online forums called for a boycott of Sony products.
“You would just assume with someone like a Sony, your details would be safe,” said Albert, a 42-year-old bank worker shopping for games in London’s Canary Wharf financial district.
“As I was looking at the games just now I was thinking: Do I really want to spend my money with Sony?” he said, adding he would think again about using the network features in future.
BOON FOR MICROSOFT
Analysts said the hacking could steer people looking to buy a video game console toward Microsoft Corp’s Xbox, which has its own popular online network. Enthusiasts who own both consoles will prefer to use their Xbox since right now it is the only way to play console games with friends over an online network, said MKM Partners analyst, Eric Handler. PSN is currently out of service.
“Microsoft should benefit because here’s a reason to use Microsoft more than you use Sony,” he said.
Doug, a 49-year-old composer shopping for Xbox games at a London store, said he was glad he had opted for Xbox over PlayStation.
“I’d cancel my cards this morning; wouldn’t you?” he asked.
