Sony detects 'irregular activity' on PSN, resetting some passwords (update)

Sony is resetting the passwords for some PlayStation Network accounts as a response to detecting "irregular activity" on the service, according to emails received by PSN users, as reported by The Verge.

"The Sony Entertainment Network team routinely monitors for any irregular activity, and if such activity is detected, we may sometimes reset passwords of affected accounts to protect consumers and their account information. Your account password was recently reset as part of this process," the emails begin.

The specific nature of the activity in question is unclear; there's no word on how many users are affected, and we don't know whether the password resets are related to a malicious intrusion like the April 2011 PSN hack or something less serious. We've reached out to Sony for more details and will update this article with any information we receive.

You can see the full email reproduced below.

Update: A Sony representative sent Polygon the following statement, which is essentially identical to language the company uses in its emails to customers: "We routinely monitor for irregular activity, and if such activity is detected, we may sometimes reset passwords of affected [Sony Entertainment Network] accounts to protect consumers and their account information."

Dear valued customer,

The Sony Entertainment Network team routinely monitors for any irregular activity, and if such activity is detected, we may sometimes reset passwords of affected accounts to protect consumers and their account information. Your account password was recently reset as part of this process and you will need to create a new password the next time you access your account using the "Forgot Your Password" option on the Sign in screen.

We encourage you to create a complex unique password that you have not used before or isn't the same password as those associated with other online services. As always, we also encourage you to keep a close eye on your account for any unusual activity including emails about transactions you did not perform. Please click here if you need help in changing your password, or to contact us for additional assistance.

Also, remember that Sony will never ask you for your password or any personal or account information in an email. Please use caution if you receive any emails or phone calls from anyone asking for personal information or directing you to a website where you are asked to provide personal information.

Thank you, The Sony Entertainment Network Team