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Sony may be able to detect Jailbroken PS3s

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If Sony follow the precedent set by Microsoft, we can expect pirated PlayStation 3 games to bring down the ban hammer, locking users out of the PlayStation Network. Fringe dwellers beware: Sony may well already know what you've been up to.

According to Digital Foundry, any PS3 console with a network connection reports back to Sony servers on start up - whether the user is signed in with a PlayStation ID or not.

The content of this communication is unknown, but is likely to include an application log identifying software installed on the hard drive.

Sony has yet to announce any consequences for using illicit software or firmware enabled by Geohot's PS3 root key publication; the company's most recent statement is that the hack is being looked into.

Piracy contravenes the PlayStation Network's terms and services and is justification for a ban, but Digital Foundry speculated that Sony may even be able to permanently disable Jailbroken PS3s.

A PSN ban disallows PS3 users from accessing the PlayStation store, title updates, online multiplayer and other game-specific services.

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About the Author
Brenna Hillier avatar

Brenna Hillier

Contributor

Based in Australia and having come from a lengthy career in the Aussie games media, Brenna worked as VG247's remote Deputy Editor for several years, covering news and events from the other side of the planet to the rest of the team. After leaving VG247, Brenna retired from games media and crossed over to development, working as a writer on several video games.

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