Update: George Hotz responds.

Sony has announced that the next PS3 system software update — firmware 3.21 — is slated to hit the PlayStation Network on April 1 and will remove the OtherOS feature present on units prior to the slimline revision, due to “security concerns.”

While Sony neglected to delve into further detail, these “security concerns” likely stem from the discovery of an exploit credited to famed iPhone hacker George “geohot” Hotz. Nothing usable to the average end-user has materialized yet, however, it’s clear that the looming threat of piracy has led Sony to take precautionary measures.

While the update itself is an optional one, by opting out you will no longer be able to sign into PSN nor play PS3 titles that require firmware 3.21 or later.

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