Update 11.50pm: Sony says that the PlayStation Network has been hacked, and that users should be aware that their credit card details may have been stolen.

More details on the Sony PlayStation blog.

We're into the sixth day of Sony's PSN shutdown and currently there is no firm word on how and when the situation will be resolved. Jemima Kiss has surmised things so far, while a statement on Sony Europe's PlayStation blog reads:

"I know you are waiting for additional information on when PlayStation Network and Qriocity services will be online. Unfortunately, I don't have an update or timeframe to share at this point in time. As we previously noted, this is a time intensive process and we're working to get them back online quickly. Will keep you updated with information as it becomes available. We once again thank you for your patience."

It was initially thought that the network had been infiltrated by hackers acting in solidarity with George Hotz who, last year, gained access to a PS3 root key that could allow users to bypass the machine's built-in security measures. Sony threatened legal action and the two parties subsequently settled out of court.

Yesterday, however, someone claiming to be a moderator at the homebrew coding forum PSX-Scene provided an alternative explanation.



In a post on Reddit, the source pointed out that a custom firmware named Rebug is now available online, allowing users to gain access to Sony's trusted developer network via a normal retail machine rather than a development - or 'debug' - system. The post speculates that some Rebug users may have worked out how to employ fake credit card details to download games and other content from PSN for free.

The mention of 'credit cards' has set off alarm bells, with the BBC's technology editor, Rory Cellan-Jones, appearing on Breakfast Time this morning to theorise over potential security fears for anyone who has an account on the system. Although it's unlikely that customer details would be vulnerable in this scenario, Sony will naturally want to make sure its online platform is entirely secure before allowing transactions to continue.

Meanwhile, according to industry news source VG247, Sony has warned developers that PSN is undergoing "emergency maintenance".

More info as we get it...