Abdul Hakam, known in the gaming world as “Hakum” and who holds five Guinness World Records, revealed a corruption scandal within the PlayStation company that includes leaking and selling user data on the black market.
Case details:
The story began on September 9 when Hukoum’s account was permanently suspended without warning or official notice. After trying to contact customer service to no avail, he received a message via WhatsApp from a “benefactor” informing him that his data had been leaked on the Internet.
The story of the leak of Hukoum’s PlayStation account @psnHakoom 👀 @PlayStation_ME @PlayStationSA pic.twitter.com/Oyy3TAENDB
– Technology World (@techwd) November 13, 2024
Uncovering the corruption network:
- PlayStation employees involved in stealing and selling user data
- Evidence was presented including photographs of PlayStation administrative computer screens
- Blackmail attempts by hackers to obtain additional data
- Involvement of employees from Polyphony Digital (developers of Gran Turismo)
- Many notable players were affected, including the world number two in the Trophy system
PlayStation's controversial response:
Instead of investigating the data leak, the company made bizarre accusations against the government:
- Complete 100 hour games in just minutes
- Finish games in 0 minutes
- Use more than 2000 accounts
- Log in from 29 devices
Refuting the accusations:
- An official “auto trophy pops” system that allows achievements to be transferred between different versions of the game
- There are legitimately games that can be completed in just seconds
- 17 years of gaming justifies multiple accounts and devices
- Sharing games is officially allowed by the company
Final result:
- Unblock the account after 45 days
- Ending the partnership program with the government
- Completely ignoring the data leak issue
- The continued activity of data selling networks
Warning to users:
Hokoum confirms that any sudden ban or change in email without a clear reason may be an indication of data theft via these networks, calling on PlayStation management to seriously investigate the issue to protect user data.
