The Entertainment Software Association has pledged to work with President Obama and the White House on legislation that was proposed would help combat cybercrime.
In light of a slew of cybercrime attacks, most notably directed at Sony Pictures Entertainment, President Obama proposed legislation that would shield companies from lawsuits for sharing computer threat data with government and give law enforcement greater authority in combating such cybercrime.
“Cyber attacks threaten our country’s security and prosperity," said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, which represents the U.S. video game industry. "We commend President Obama’s leadership in providing law enforcement the tools necessary to detect and prosecute organized digital crime."
"Consumers need to be protected from illegal, malicious botnets and denial-of-service attacks. They deserve to enjoy an innovative and dynamic Internet free of this criminal activity," Gallagher continued. "The Entertainment Software Association will work with the White House and Congressional leaders to fine tune these proposals and help enhance penalties for those who inflict consumer damage on a mass scale.”
Sony was on the receiving end of numerous attacks over the past few months. A cyberhack, believed to stem from North Korea, leaked numerous confidential data belonging to Sony Pictures Entertainment, including personal information about Sony Pictures employees and their families, emails between employees, copies of unreleased Sony films, and more. The hackers called themselves the "Guardians of Peace" and demanded Sony cancel the planned release of The Interview, a comedy about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Eventually Sony and major theater chains around the U.S. caved and decided not to release the film. As you're probably aware, The Interview did eventually debut in a few independent theaters as well as on On-Demand services like YouTube, Google Play, and Xbox. As of last week, The Interview became Sony's #1 online film of all-time.
In an unrelated series of events, a hacker group known Lizard Squad launched a devastating DDoS attack that took down Sony's PlayStation Network — its online service for PlayStation gaming — for several days. The group also targeted Microsoft's Xbox LIVE, but it was Sony that received the brunt of the damage.
There's arguments from privacy advocates against the newly proposed legislation, but it's hard to say I didn't expect these sort of measures to be taken as a result of the attacks.
