Backing for ICO's Sony fine after Playstation hacking

Legal experts have hailed a decision by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to fine Sony £250,000 for failing to stop the hacking of personal data belonging to millions of Playstation users, saying it showed the UK watchdog "has some teeth".

The ICO ruled that the gaming giant "should have known better" and could have done more to protect customers' credit-card details and other data when its Sony Playstation Network was hacked in 2011.

Vanessa Barnett, partner at law firm Charles Russell, said this should serve as a warning: "All boards of companies that hold personal data need this on their radar now."