Report: Sony Begins Banning PS3 Jailbreak Users [Updated]

[Update 14:45] A Sony spokesperson confirmed to Shacknews that the PSN bans are both permanent and worldwide. Users can, however, still play games offline.

[Original Story] Yesterday, Sony issued a warning to anyone who's used the well-publicized PlayStation 3 hacks. The message was clear: get rid of the offending hacks now, or face PlayStation Network bans. Now CVG reports that PSN bans have already begun. Accounts identified as using the jailbreak software reportedly received the following e-mail:

A circumvention device and/or unauthorized or pirated software currently resides on your PlayStation(R)3 system. Immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from your PlayStation(R)3 system. Failure to do so will result in termination of your access to the PlayStation(R)Network and access to Qriocity(TM) services through your PlayStation(R)3 system.

Users who ignored the warnings were later unable to access PSN features like online play or the PlayStation Store, and were given the message: "you cannot use the PlayStation Network with this account (8002a227)." The error code is the standard one for restricted accounts based on Terms of Service violations.

And just in case a user didn't connect the dots on how and why they were banned, Sony apparently sent a follow-up e-mail:

Notice: Access to the PlayStation(R)Network and access to Qriocity(TM) services through your PlayStation (R)3 system has been terminated permanently due to the use of unauthorized circumvention devices and unauthorized or pirated software on your PlayStation(R)3 system.

This use violates the terms of both the "System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation(R)3 System" and the "Terms of Services and User Agreement" for the PlayStation(R)Network/Qriocity(TM) and its Community Code of Conduct provisions. In the unlikely event that this termination was in error, contact your local consumer support centre.

We've contacted Sony to confirm these reports and ask whether the bans will be rolling worldwide.