As Sony starts focusing on the PlayStation 5, some of its older consoles are either getting canceled or forgotten. The PS3, in particular, is the latest victim of Sony's negligence.
Even though Sony backed out of shutting down the digital storefronts for the PS3, it seems like it hasn't really been paying much attention to the older PlayStation console. In fact, according to some users, Sony is banning certain PS3 consoles because hackers are using stolen user IDs for malicious purposes. Is There Another Big Sony Data Breach? Sony and its database were the targets of a huge security breach back in 2011 and then again in 2014. A little over seven years later and it seems like hackers, who are reportedly using the same exploits used by those responsible for the aforementioned security breaches, have begun targeting Sony once again. In particular, hackers are using the console ID of PS3 owners.
One of the first to report on this breach was the Spanish YouTuber, TheWizWiki, back in April. The user claims that this breach could result in millions of PS3 owners getting their consoles banned.
In his video, which is in Spanish, TheWizWiki claims that the hacking community found the serial numbers for PS3 consoles without too much effort. Since then, the hackers have spread it within its entire community and now, it seems like TheWizWiki's words have come true.
Over at the PSNProfiles forum, a user named GUDGER666 confirmed that the ban by Sony was directed specifically on the console and not the PSN ID.