Sony Offering Free ‘AllClear ID Plus’ Identity Theft Protection

PS Blog: Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network Entertainment International have made arrangements with Debix, Inc., one of the industry’s most reputable identity protection firms, to offer AllClear ID Plus at no cost to PlayStation Network and Qriocity account holders for 12 months from the time an account holder registers for the program.

[jidery]

That's amazing! Sony has gone above and beyond to solve the problem it caused. Sony, you have my full respect!

[M-Easy]

This just proves that the PlayStation brand cares about their users. This is why I never considered leaving them. Great games and when a screw up happens they work hard to re-build their reputation.

Slow clap... into chant... Play-sta-tion... Play-sta-tion ... Play-sta-tion.

What? too soon?

[captain-obvious]

i hope Sony learnt their lesson this gen

if they did
next gen they'll be unstoppable

[Soldierone]

Yeah funny Sony is the ones fighting and supporting us users and gamers...yet these hackers continue to say they are fighting for the gamers...

Didnt know putting a network we all use daily out of business for two weeks, stealing our identity, and abusing this company we enjoy was supporting us. All because they couldn't steal games...how ironic.

[-Alpha]

It doesn't prove anything about Sony "Caring"

That is not even a factor here. This has very little to do with just the PlayStation brand. Sony's whole network (SOE, Qriocity, PSN) was affected. They are a huge brand and customer security is a much more bigger concern than just PlayStation fans

You can consider that "Caring", but it's much more the result of the company managing their reputation. This is positive news that goes further than Free PSN+ ever would. It generates great media coverage for the whole company while satisfying all kinds of registered consumers

[kneon]

A company only "cares" about it's customers because there is financial incentive to do so.

They have decided that the cost of providing this monitoring will pay off in the end, that's all there is to it.

[ReservoirDog316]

@ Alpha-Male22

Well that's just throwing a negative light on this isn't it?

They're trying to fix what happened. Give them some slack.

[-Alpha]

I'm not putting a negative light on anything-- just combating the overly silly notion that Sony went out of its way for customers, because they really did not.

The generous thing was to offer a free download. That's as far as I would go for "caring". The rest of it is a matter of respectively compensating customers and repairing the company's image. Free Plus for Plus members, protection for all users.

Offering Identity protection was the strategic thing to do, but it definitely wasn't done because Sony was going out of their way to care for customers. It was done because it is what is going to help their image most

[Sevir04]

"The details of the program include, but are not limited to:

Cyber monitoring and surveillance of the Internet to detect exposure of an AllClear ID Plus customer’s personal information, including monitoring of criminal web sites and data recovered by law enforcement. If his/her personal information is found, the customer will be alerted by phone and/or email and will be provided advice and support regarding protective steps to take. The customer will also receive monthly identity status reports. Debix works with an alliance of cyber-crime experts from the government, academia and industry to provide these services.
Priority access to licensed private investigators and identity restoration specialists. If an AllClear ID Plus customer receives an alert, or otherwise suspects that he/she may be the victim of identity theft, the customer can speak directly, on a priority basis, with an on-staff licensed private investigator, who will conduct a comprehensive inquiry. In the case of an identity theft, the customer can work with an identity restoration specialist to contact creditors and others, and take necessary steps to restore the customer’s identity.
A $1 million identity theft insurance policy per user to provide additional protection in the event that an AllClear ID Plus customer becomes a victim of identity theft. This insurance would provide financial relief of up to $1 million for covered identity restoration costs, legal defense expenses, and lost wages that occur within 12 months after the stolen identity event."

Not bad for a company the media has dragged through the mud! I've never heard of banks who've had their whole infrastructure breach do something like this on such a grand scale!

[DaTruth]

My company also cares about there customers, but for some reason they have no love for their employees!

There is financial incentive to care about customers and financial incentive to not care about employees. It is the financial incentives they are concerned about!

Trolling disclaimer: I only own Playstation consoles.

[Kahvipannu]

"This just proves that the PlayStation brand cares about their users. This is why I never considered leaving them. "

It really doesn't prove that they are caring, it's just one part of trying to fix theyr f*** up, and trying to get theyr rebiliaty back.. People usually see in things, what they want to see. But great news anyways.

Edit: I just realiced Apha-Male sayed same thing, but way better. Agreed A-M22, just wondering the ammount of disagrees your getting..

[cliffbo]

why do you say the problem it caused that sentence sounds like you think sony caused the problem which they did not it was hackers and as we all know hackers can get into anything nothing is totally secure there is always a way to get into anything if there is someone with enough intent to do so no wonder you are getting disagrees to your comment.

[Dark_king]

correct all things built by man can be destroyed by man.

[wsoutlaw87]

wow that has to cost them some money.

[Jazz4108]

They are trying to protect there butt for the upcoming lawsuits.

[blu_yu_away]

This is ALL I thought that Sony should provide to begin with. Most companies offer some kind of credit monitoring after a breach like this. A few years back a bank laptop got stolen that had my info on it and my bank offered the monitoring for all those affected. I didn't stop using my bank or demand any kind of compensation. Just like I haven't stopped playing my ps3 through all of this.

Granted, I wasn't really worried about all of this since I've always bought PSN cards just in case. Could Sony have handled it better? Yes. Could Sony's security have been better? Yes. But hind site is always 20/20 and they are making the right moves now.

[DontShoot-Me-Bro]

I believe thats for US only. because the PS3 EU blog doesnt have that AllClear ID Plus bit.

So final internal testing, anyone know roughly how long that would take?, hours? days?, could they flick the switch tomorrow, after a few hours of testing?

[Reborn]

It could return sometime tomorrow night.

Though, I wouldn't exactly get my hopes too high.

[-EvoAnubis-]

Yeah, it's US only. I know that mostly because I actually read the post. Upon further reading, you'll note that plans are underway for other regions.

[DontShoot-Me-Bro]

Oh my mistake, i only read the EU blog, i thought it would pretty much say the same things and i didnt remember reading about the AllClear ID Plus bit, but il read the US blog aswell now. thanks.

[-EvoAnubis-]

So, you commented on the story....without reading it? Hmm. That just seems silly to me, but I don't judge. You're welcome, at any rate.

[wsoutlaw87]

depends on how testing went

[blahblah]

do you even care?

after reading getRandomNumber fiasco and what/how they actually hacked... seeing sony and security/protection in same sentence sounds like someone is promoting bad joke.

[DaThreats]

Nice compensation

[liore]

Astonishing............ If your American :(

[moparful99]

If you bothered to read the entirity of the blog then you would have read that sony is inking deals with reputable agencies in europe and other regions that will have a similar level of protection... I say EPIC WIN... TY Sony :)

[wsoutlaw87]

America does rock lol

[-EvoAnubis-]

More proof that Sony is doing everything they can to fix this.

Now could everyone please shut the hell up!? Bloody hell; I'm getting tired of everyone whining about this whole thing. PSN got hacked. Yeah, well, it happens; nothing is foolproof. Get over it.

[Hulligan85]

So, in order to protect your identity from unknown persons, you have to give details of your identity, to unknown persons, is that how this works?

[dktxx2]

Well to have your identity stolen in the first place, you'd have to have given your information to unknown persons anyway, so obviously said person wouldn't have any problem giving that information to unknown persons.

[kagon01]

Yup...

[SasanovaS1987]

god u didnt pass highschool did u...too bad majority of people on here are just like u...id have more fun playing chess against a brick

[Reborn]

I wonder if they'll announce anything for the EU/rest of the world.

Pretty good so far though.

[RankFTW]

They have to give EU and the rest something as good as that.

[moparful99]

READ THE ENTIRE BLOG!!!!!

"We are working to make similar programs available in other countries/territories where applicable. Information will be posted on local websites/blogs when available."

[liore]

They might get a big shot EU security firm for us as the one sony is offering in America only operates in north America so yaaaaaaaa

[NJShadow]

That... is... awesome.

[Parapraxis]

"We continue to work around the clock to have some PlayStation Network services and Qriocity services restored, and will be providing you specific details shortly."

Shortly?...c'mon guys, now i'm getting all worked up.

[Wolf873]

Ah, why the U.S. users only? Why not anyone else who was affected by this?

[truegame]

Many countries have different identity monitoring and laws etc. Read first and Then post!

"We are working to make similar programs available in other countries/territories where applicable. Information will be posted on local websites/blogs when available."

Like Alpha-Male22 said it will cost a ton of cash. I pay $9.99 a month from Equifax for credit reporting and credit protection etc

[Wolf873]

Sorry didn't catch that part. I did read it though.

@ Below

By the way I'm up north, I don't think there is a blog for us Canadians. So we have to check the U.S. blog for updates and stuff because that's the info that applies to us as well, mostly.

[Christopher]

Note, this is news from the US Blog. You might want to look out for news on the UK blog for news regarding Europe.

[-EvoAnubis-]

Yeah, odd isn't isn't it? The US PlayStation.Blog reporting on something that only affects the US. It never ceases to amaze me when people are shocked by this.

[Raendom]

"$1M insurance if you are the subject of identity fraud."

We need this in the EU.

[ftwrthtx]

Good to know.

[theafroman]

How nice of Sony.

[digitalman29]

Nice way to bounce back Sony!

[4me2]

I was wondering how many people here actually have credit card on PSN account.

You can lick <Agree> if you DO Have CC on PSN
Click <Disagree> if you DO NOT Have CC on PSN

[blackburn10]

Fine! They don't 'care' but they are trying to put things right as best as they can. And we got a public televised apology as well. People can go on and on about how they are obligated to do these things but in truth, they are not. They don't owe anyone squat. But they have done more then most companies have done when they screwed up. Many of them basically said 'screw all of you, stuff happens, here is some crap that was lying around nobady wanted, now shut up' or write some worded apology on a commerical. No one said that Sony didn't screw up to some extent but this proves they are trying their hardest to fix it.

[xxxxx01]

``AllClear ID Plus at no cost to PlayStation Network and Qriocity account holders for 12 months from the time an account holder registers for the program.``

What happens after the 1 year program ??

[SuicideShaun]

I'm failing to see why you all are praising sony. It's good but they need to reclaim the respect. Don't be so easy to give them respect, for all we know this is just words. I need to see it first.

[buckley]

Very smart PR move there

[Funky Town_TX]

Plus this could prevent some lawsuits. I once had a fiancial institution that held my personal info get hacked. They informed me of the date that it happened ( 1 day before they told me) plus they gave me a credit report, and ID protection for 1 year. I hope Sony learns from this. PSN is free and it's ran by Sony and I would never give my CC number to a hardware company.

[buckley]

I had the exact same thing happen. Was a member at rudder.com and they had some sort of hack. I ended up unscathed, but they offered their entire userbase free identity protection as a result.

It's probably the best move that anyone could make in this situation.

[Ingram]

Huh? I think I have the right to be protected of sensible data theft AT ALL TIMES, not just for one year, what's this? after the first year Sony can't guarantee the security of my personal data unless I keep on paying? mmh?
Situation is very clear.

Plus, this will not be implemented soon if implemented at all in SCEE territories because of "licensing and localization issues"/jk

What exactly are you guys celebrating?

[buckley]

Ultimately, everything you give your personal info to has disclaimers abound that explicitly do NOT guarantee protection.

Sony isn't saying "We'll protect your data for one year," they're giving a free subscription to a 3rd-party universal identity protection service that is not exclusive to PSN.

The reason that the PSN is still down right now is so that they can ensure that your info with them is safe going forward. It's not down for fun right now.

At the end of the day, each individual is responsible for their own protection. Sony giving everyone a hand-out subscription to an identity protection service is a good move on their part.

[Ingram]

"It's not down for fun right now" I don't care, I did not mention the PSN downtime.

"At the end of the day, each individual is responsible for their own protection"

Very american, I should get a gun to keep the lunatics and criminals outside when going to my favourite bar, after all it's not the bouncer responsibility/S

Imagine you share your data with McDonalds for a survey.You do that under the assumption they will be responsible with such data.

Are you telling me a private company is exempt of...?

Let me put another example: Your bank.

"Well, someone took our account numbers, I'll tell you what, we give you one free year of private vigilance, after all, you are responsible for coming here and handing us your money, It's not our fault we can't protect it"

That/this is UNNACEPTABLE, from any standpoint.

[SuperSaiyan4]

So PS fans have 12months to not worry about their data getting stolen...LOLZ!!

[Noctis106]

Sony is preparing to fight those pathetic hackers head-on.

[oguzsasi]

I still cant sign in to psn wtf!?

[arjman]

Do us Britons get the same protection? Europeans?

[unicron7]

Sweet. This is good news and a good deal being offered, being that most stolen info is used within the first couple months of theft. After that the info normally becomes outdated/irrelevant. Thus far, HACKERS took down PSN and stole info. HACKERS, which the media/users seem to be conveniently leaving alone. Sony in turn, is repairing the network for safer use, is giving free content, and is giving us a year subscription to a ID theft protection firm. What more do people want? Shut up already.

[Ingram]

I want a nice lady with a Sony baseball cap licking my salty balls.And it would not be enough.

Account data should be protected at all times.Not an optional, temporal premium service; this is a dangerous precedent in consumer rights and you all keep defending such strange and stinky tactics.

Use Linux, hackers can't come in, end of story.

[GrumpyVeteran]

I've never owned a PS3 but I'm pretty sure I made a PS3 forum account a while ago to discuss a game, would those details be breached as well? Eager to change the password on it as I'm not sure if the password I use on that account was shared with other accounts on different sites.

So, would I be able to use this AllClear ID stuff too?