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Sony Sued For PlayStation Network Data Breach
suraj.sun writes "Like clockwork, the first lawsuit resulting from the security breach of the personal data of more than 75 million Sony PlayStation Network customers has been filed. The suit was filed today on behalf of Kristopher Johns, 36, of Birmingham, Ala., in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. Johns accuses Sony of not taking 'reasonable care to protect, encrypt, and secure the private and sensitive data of its users.' He also believes Sony took too long to notify him and other customers that their personal information had been exposed. Because of that, the complaint alleges, Sony did not allow its customers 'to make an informed decision as to whether to change credit card numbers, close the exposed accounts, check their credit reports, or take other mitigating actions.'"
Unfortunately, yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that one can not seek Class Action status for cases involving Products or Services.
See AT&T MOBILITY LLC v. CONCEPCION, Slip Opinion No. 09–893 (PDF)
You think this is a bad thing?!
Hell yes it's a bad thing! When a large corporation can use a shrink-wrap EULA to force you into binding arbitration (read: a "court" they have literally bought and paid for), you will never again see that corporation bother with proper customer service. Remember, according to Sony you don't actually own your PS3; by signing up for the PSN, you are effectively renting that machine from Sony. From here on out, the customer is always wrong: our kangaroo court says so!