Although rage against SOPA has been bubbling for a long time, things didn't truly get real until recently. While GoDaddy has suffered for its long-running SOPA support, other companies are yet to face retribution, including PS3 platform holder Sony. Enter Anonymous, and Operation Blackout.
The online hornet's nest released a video promising that Sony will be punished for pledging support to SOPA, as well as individuals including Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.
"It has come to the attention of the Anonymous activist community that you have chosen to stand by the Stop Online Piracy Act," Anonymous warned Sony. "This act will halt online businesses and restrict access to many sites for many users. Supporting SOPA is like trying to throw an entire company from off a bridge. Your support to the act is a signed death warrant to SONY Company and Associates.
"Therefore, yet again, we have decided to destroy your network. We will dismantle your phantom from the internet. Prepare to be extinguished. Justice will be swift, and it will be for the people, whether some like it or not. Sony, you have been warned."
I'm not going to explicitly approve or condemn Anonymous, but if you support a bill that threatens to take people offline, I can't bring myself to cry over the idea of you getting taken offline. At least it means you get to experience SOPA from the other side of the fence.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
Why did Anon take down Sony the first time again? Was it because they removed Linux?
Either way, I almost feel bad for Sony, they seem so out of touch with their consumers. I feel like they're just a bunch of old guys who get brief reports on topics and make decisions. They have no idea what they're doing.
It's weird that Lady Gaga preaches individuality and freedom, yet she apparently supports SOPA. She really was just fronting everything Madonna did in the 80s/90s.
I'm against sops, but last time I checked these idiots did more harm to the people than Sony last time around so I'm none too keen on these fools running around free either. Hopefully this time around a few are caught and made examples out of.
There are much better ways to go about protesting that doesn't screw up the average joes day as well.
Why are all artists such little bitches? Doesn't matter how much millions they have, its still not enough. If it was up to me they wouldn't make shit, they would be forced to work real jobs.
Hopefully they don't steal all our account information like a bunch of fucking thieves and post it online again.
I don't care about whether they take on Sony as Sony is the one deciding to put their company behind bills like this. However, if they fuck me over then I'm not going to be particularly happy about it.
SOPA is bullshit, but I think attacking Sony and the mentioned pack of mouth breather pop stars is pretty pathetic.
If you want to deprive them of your business, cool.
Attacking them by sabatoging their networks, exposing their personal information, etc., is not only illegal in the ways they are likely to do it, but's also pretty childish.
Oh indeed, taking down PSN (as it seems they're implying)is a FANTASTIC way to garner support from people. Whether we like it or not indeed.
When will these "defenders of our rights" realize that actions such as these only provokes a backlash against groups like Anon and provides ammunition to the assholes who support SOPA?
In addition, why aren't they targeting Sony's music divisions listed as supporters (not SCE)?
Indeed manasteel. I have no problems with them taking out ANYONE who supports SOPA, what i have a problem with is posting account details, passwords, credit card information, ect. That shit only hurts the people they are fighting for, and just makes it harder for them to gain the support of the people.
Replace "SOPA" with "Israel" and this little diatribe starts sounding eerily familiar...
Also, didn't this group deny that it was behind the previous attacks on Sony? Now its taking credit for them in order to boost its threat cred? Also, eerily familiar.
There's a saying in the law practice: Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. If Anonymous continues to blur the line between "activist" and "terrorist" its members may get some visits from the men in the black balaclavas.
I bet Microsoft is breathing a sigh of relief that they chose to decline SOPA support. It's like letting Anon do marketing for Xbox Live service. "Join Xbox Live! 70% less likely of having organized hack attacks!"
A.) Fuck SOPA
B.) Attack Sony Music, leave the millions of people who use psn along (que crying video)
C.) Why only go after sony Annon? Why not nintendo or M$
So is this like the time Anon promised to take down Amazon or Facebook or any of the dozen or so things they've promised to take down in the last few months and never followed through on? Anon can go fuck off with their promises and claims. They're nothing but a bunch of dumbass script kiddies enjoying their five minutes of fame.
You're terrified of Anonymous, aren't you Jim? It's the only reason I can possible imagine for anyone to be so cavalier and victim-blaming about the same group of shitheads threatening to bring down the same network yet again that millions of people rely on daily for entertainment. That's not making a point, that's just childish dumbassery.
I get it though, you're a visible target and if you dare speak your mind against them, you're afraid of what might happen. I don't blame you, I'm sure I'd do the same. But please, at least just don't make a personal remark at all. Please don't insinuate they have it coming. With all due respect, that's insulting as hell to those of us that rely on PSN on a daily basis. What'd WE do to deserve it? Not cool, Jimbo.
Funny thing is its action like this that let sopa get as far as it had. An actual attack would probably do more to garner support for the thing than stop it.
damn these fools lack common sense, at the end of the day there just giving ammo to the sopa war machine.
All this is going to lead to is more pissed off sony customers who are pissed off at Anon. Just a bunch of babies. There are other ways of doing things instead of hacking people's account information.
Also, before anyone says Nintendo, Microsoft and various other companies we all enjoy don't have a hand in supporting SOPA, you might want to review the list of Entertainment Software Association (ESA supports SOPA) members.
we as gamers are the ones that suffer through this just like last time with the outage. they dont do it for us, its about power for them. they stopped caring about "the people" long ago. really sad. dont fight out battles anonymous, no one ever asked you too. go bully murderers, molestors, rapists etc. focus on them as they deserve it, not us who just want to game
Tristix: While I do certainly think anyone with a brain should respect what Anonymous is capable of, you seem to forget that I, too, rely on the PlayStation Network. In fact, I rely on PSN for my job. When the PSN went down in April, there were things I am employed to do that I could not do.
That does not mean I'll shed a tear if the PSN goes down over SOPA. I won't throw a party either, but I will be very hard pressed to feel any sorrow over it.
Others: Microsoft indirectly supported SOPA via the BSA. The BSA withdrew support for SOPA before the hearings.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
8:00 AM on 12.30.2011 | 
Carry on, let's black out the skies of those who are SOPA biased.
Either way, I almost feel bad for Sony, they seem so out of touch with their consumers. I feel like they're just a bunch of old guys who get brief reports on topics and make decisions. They have no idea what they're doing.
Anyway - ::popcorn gif::
That way people won't whine when it gets hacked :p
There are much better ways to go about protesting that doesn't screw up the average joes day as well.
/nobodyreallycares
Anyways, oh great here we go again.
I don't care about whether they take on Sony as Sony is the one deciding to put their company behind bills like this. However, if they fuck me over then I'm not going to be particularly happy about it.
If you want to deprive them of your business, cool.
Attacking them by sabatoging their networks, exposing their personal information, etc., is not only illegal in the ways they are likely to do it, but's also pretty childish.
umad Sony Apologists? Shoulda gotten a real console. I've had problems on XBox 360. ;-)
Also, PC.
When will these "defenders of our rights" realize that actions such as these only provokes a backlash against groups like Anon and provides ammunition to the assholes who support SOPA?
In addition, why aren't they targeting Sony's music divisions listed as supporters (not SCE)?
Still hate Sony for their various business practices though. A wise man once said; Couldn't have happened to a douchier guy!
If I would be the Boss of Sony, I would already have done that.
Also, didn't this group deny that it was behind the previous attacks on Sony? Now its taking credit for them in order to boost its threat cred? Also, eerily familiar.
There's a saying in the law practice: Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. If Anonymous continues to blur the line between "activist" and "terrorist" its members may get some visits from the men in the black balaclavas.
B.) Attack Sony Music, leave the millions of people who use psn along (que crying video)
C.) Why only go after sony Annon? Why not nintendo or M$
Yeah, it's not like Microsoft is any better. I tought I remembered them kicking of this whole anti piracy thing 10 years ago..
But whatever, SOPA should pass. Then we europeans can make even more jokes about how similiar the US is to china. :D
I get it though, you're a visible target and if you dare speak your mind against them, you're afraid of what might happen. I don't blame you, I'm sure I'd do the same. But please, at least just don't make a personal remark at all. Please don't insinuate they have it coming. With all due respect, that's insulting as hell to those of us that rely on PSN on a daily basis. What'd WE do to deserve it? Not cool, Jimbo.
damn these fools lack common sense, at the end of the day there just giving ammo to the sopa war machine.
http://www.theesa.com/about/members.asp
And, yet again, innocent people who just want to play videogames and watch Netflix online will be affected.
I'm glad Anonymous knows what we, the people, need.
Anonymous must really hate SOPA
That does not mean I'll shed a tear if the PSN goes down over SOPA. I won't throw a party either, but I will be very hard pressed to feel any sorrow over it.
Others: Microsoft indirectly supported SOPA via the BSA. The BSA withdrew support for SOPA before the hearings.
Trust me, if I could magically mind-wipe Taylor Swift's name from my mind I would have long done it long ago.