Sony's Attack on Web Privacy

[hypernova]

To say I'm mildly concerned with what information Sony is being allowed to gather is an understatement.

Sony unmasking all who visited Geohot's sites.

I can't remember if I checked out his site or not just to see if the story was true back then, but my possible visitation is irrelevant, as I don't even own a PS3.  Played one once.

What worries me is the blitzkrieg being brought forth by Sony, the fact that the judge is allowing all of it, and very few people, if anyone, seems concerned about it.

[SavannahLion]

It most certainly a heavy handed tactic by Sony and I don't see anything to prevent Sony from using this data from outright banning PS3 machines on those IP addresses, regardless of whether the hack was applied or not.

Forcing the venue to S.F. is probably no surprise either. What state was the judge that ruled against Microsoft the government and their moronic idea to use a Microsoft employee who openly admitted to hacking Xboxes in college? Sony is likely trying to seek a copyright friendly judge in S.F.

[SavannahLion]

The more I think about it, the more I realize that Sony is definitely in "panic mode." Here they are with their precious PS3 hacked wide open for the world to see and Sony is pissed. So what do they do? They squeeze even harder to try and hide this.

Here's a message to Sony.

It's not going to work. Take a peek at DeCSS to see what happened. DVD CCA convinced Norway to have Jon Lech Johansen arrested and tried (and eventually acquitted). Then they drove any sites hosting DeCSS under water. Good job CCA, you pissed off so many people people started printing the damn code on T-Shirts. It became so readily available that all one had to do was ask, anywhere, on the street even, for the code and it was readily available in any number of forms.

How long is the source code? Maybe it can fit on a terry cloth towel.

[SavannahLion]

What worries me is the blitzkrieg being brought forth by Sony, the fact that the judge is allowing all of it, and very few people, if anyone, seems concerned about it.

Google (at your own risk) for Sony vs Geohot and you'll see quite a few boards loaded with discussions. The court documents are even readily available for download at more than one location. I suggest those who are interested download the documents in question.

My biggest concern is the fact Sony has a massive list of whomever commented and visited his site. Even if it was to check out the news article. Way way way overbearing there.

Now that I think about it. Might be prudent for Saint to kill and/or move this thread. No need to have Sony bringing their attention to here.

[SavannahLion]

Here they are with their precious PS3 hacked wide open for the world to see and Sony is pissed.

Eh, not too wide open.  3.56 disables updating via USB.   

I can't say I've ever used that feature myself. Has anybody?

[hypernova]

Now that I think about it. Might be prudent for Saint to kill and/or move this thread. No need to have Sony bringing their attention to here.

Part of me wonders if you're being genuine in this statement.

I'm adopting a boycott Sony mentality.  And I hope anyone who reads about this and does the same, given their past exploits (rootkit anyone?)

---fudgesicle--- Sony.  They've lost a customer for life, and I'm spreading the word.  Which is worth a lot more than some silly little lawsuit they could ever bring to the average man.

On a side note, I'll be doing the "unthinkable" to my PS2, so I can play the International Zodiac version of FFXII.  Someone's recently found a way to translate it into English without fully writing a new game.  That and I need one to replay FFX international as well.

[Ed_McCarron]

How long is the source code? Maybe it can fit on a terry cloth towel.

Source schmource.

Sony's getting worked up over 20 hex bytes.  They seem to be the 'master key' to the system, if I understand correctly.

[hypernova]

How long is the source code? Maybe it can fit on a terry cloth towel.

Source schmource.

Sony's getting worked up over 20 hex bytes.  They seem to be the 'master key' to the system, if I understand correctly.

The way they're acting, you'd think it was the "master key" for their entire company.

[SavannahLion]

Now that I think about it. Might be prudent for Saint to kill and/or move this thread. No need to have Sony bringing their attention to here.

Part of me wonders if you're being genuine in this statement.

I actually am. Sony being as heavy handed as they're being about this. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they've got lackeys searching the web as we speak trying to find any mention of this in their zeal to kill any and all mention of this "problem" of theirs. I'm sure Sony is going to jiz in their pants when they're realize the focus of this site.

I'm adopting a boycott Sony mentality.  And I hope anyone who reads about this and does the same, given their past exploits

Good luck with that. Sony is ---smurfing--- huge. It's astonishing how many companies they have under their wing. They're like Disney, boycotting Disney is like boycotting electricity from PG&E or oil from (then)Exxon, it's impossible. The chances of you unknowingly doing business with a company that Sony has their fingers in is very high.

[CheffoJeffo]

Good luck with that. Sony is ---smurfing--- huge. It's astonishing how many companies they have under their wing. They're like Disney, boycotting Disney is like boycotting electricity from PG&E or oil from (then)Exxon, it's impossible. The chances of you unknowingly doing business with a company that Sony has their fingers in is very high.

I dunno ... just the threats of boycotting led Disney to go back on their commitment to DIVX. I know that I wrote a letter to Disney during that fiasco and Disney listened (for a variety of reasons, but one was consumer backlash).

[hypernova]

I'm adopting a boycott Sony mentality.  And I hope anyone who reads about this and does the same, given their past exploits

Good luck with that. Sony is ---smurfing--- huge. It's astonishing how many companies they have under their wing. They're like Disney, boycotting Disney is like boycotting electricity from PG&E or oil from (then)Exxon, it's impossible. The chances of you unknowingly doing business with a company that Sony has their fingers in is very high.

Well, I'll at least stay away from branded merchandise.  No big name items like TVs and mp3 players and whatnot.

Now what would really test me is if they re-release FF VII on a Sony exclusive platform.  But I bet I could hold out.

[ark_ader]

I don't own a PS3, I like my Xbox 360 too much and I really do not care what Sony does.

I wonder what will happen to Sony for all that Tax money it owes the EU, for shipping the PS3 as a computer?

Sony can sit and spin.

[SavannahLion]

Good luck with that. Sony is ---smurfing--- huge. It's astonishing how many companies they have under their wing. They're like Disney, boycotting Disney is like boycotting electricity from PG&E or oil from (then)Exxon, it's impossible. The chances of you unknowingly doing business with a company that Sony has their fingers in is very high.

I dunno ... just the threats of boycotting led Disney to go back on their commitment to DIVX. I know that I wrote a letter to Disney during that fiasco and Disney listened (for a variety of reasons, but one was consumer backlash).

I can't imagine anyone liked DIVX at the time. It's interesting we're willing to put up with similar ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- now though.

Didn't a similar boycott occur with that talk show? Elis something? I don't think anything came out of that.

Then there was similar backlash when some Sony discs installed a rootkit. Quite a bit of backlash on that, but nowadays, most people don't even remember that Sony had anything to do with that. Much less that a rootkit was involved.

I find it supremely interesting Sony's stance on copyrights has taken a complete 180. I guess it's painfully obvious Sony goes where the money is, despite the company contradicting itself over the years.