CEP Calls on Sony to Address Misuse of Popular Gaming Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2016 Contact: media@counterextremism.com  A PlayStation for Extremists: CEP Calls on Sony to Address Misuse of Popular Gaming Network CEP calls for Sony to investigate possible use of PlayStation 4 by terrorists; asks company to sever ties with Hizballah funders (New York, NY) ― The Counter Extremism Project (CEP), which has led the global effort to stop extremist misuse of social media platforms to radicalize and incite violence, today called on Sony Corp. to take steps to prevent terrorists from misusing its popular PlayStation 4 Network (PSN4) to communicate, recruit, and possibly plan future attacks. The Sony PlayStation Network is the online platform that more than 150 million people use to play games and stream music, television programs, and movies on their Sony products, including smartphones, tablets, and PlayStation game consoles. Following the November 13 attacks in Paris, it was reported that ISIS was potentially using the PSN4 to recruit and plan attacks and that intelligence agencies found possible evidence of a “special, hidden recruitment channel” used by jihadi extremists. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister of Security and Home Affairs Jan Jambon, speaking to reporters three days prior to the Paris attacks, called the PlayStation 4 the most difficult communication platform to decrypt, ranking it as “even more difficult to monitor than WhatsApp,” which militants notoriously use to stay organized. In a February letter to Sony President Kazuo Hirai, CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace stated that Sony’s “boilerplate” response to the potentially serious misuse of its gaming network was insufficient. In addition to concerns about the PlayStation 4 Network being misused by extremists, CEP is also seeking clarification regarding the apparent sale of Sony products by Stars Group Holding, a Lebanese-based entity sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for its key role in a funding network for the Lebanese-based terrorist organization Hizballah. The Sony logo is prominently displayed on the Stars Group website, and a wide range of Sony products – including the full Sony Experia cellphone range – are advertised there for sale. Kamal and Issam Mohamad Amhaz, the owners of Stars Group, have also been designated by the U.S. government. “All reputable businesses, entities and individuals must refuse to knowingly associate with extremists and /or their enablers,” Wallace wrote. “Therefore, CEP calls on Sony to cease any association with Stars Group with immediate effect and sever any remaining business relationships with the Amhaz brothers, and its front companies. We also call on Sony to urgently review its policies on exchange of messages via the PSN4.” For requests for interviews, please contact CEP at media@counterexremism.com. About The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, international policy organization formed to combat the growing threat from extremist ideology. Led by a renowned group of former world leaders and former diplomats, CEP combats extremism by pressuring financial support networks, countering the narrative of extremists and their online recruitment, and advocating for strong laws, policies and regulations.