Asian switch on for Sony network

Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) will start to be restored in Asia on 28 May.

The region is the last to be turned back on following a massive security breach that exposed the personal information of millions of gamers.

The re-start in Asia was delayed as Sony worked to demonstrate to the authorities it had taken adequate steps to protect data.

Sony said it also planned to offer Asian customers an identity protection service.

The PlayStation network was turned off on 20 April after Sony discovered that user accounts had been compromised by hackers. Data on about 100 million users, perhaps including credit card details, was thought to have been taken.

Limited service to the PSN in most of the world, including North America and Europe, was restored on 16 May. Initially, the only services restored were for gaming, chat and music streaming. Users were not able to use credit cards to buy games or other digital downloads.

During the PSN switch-off, Sony said it had been working with security firms to beef up protection and prevent any future breach.

Sony said all the services for the PSN and Qriocity should be turned on by the end of May.

Sony has been offering an apology package to gamers to compensate them for the loss of service and data.

In Europe the compensation package includes a selection of free games, extra days to use premium content and a 12-month identity protection programme.

At the same time, many other Sony websites have come under attack by hackers. The personal data of about 2,000 consumers was stolen from a Sony Ericsson website in Canada. Also, said Sony, details of 8,500 users were leaked on a Sony Music Entertainment website in Greece.

On 26 May, Sony reported that in the year to 31 March it made a loss of $3.1bn (拢1.9bn). Unveiling its accounts, Sony said the PSN security breach was likely to cause a $170m hit on operating profits in terms of insurance and damages costs.