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Obama vows US response to Sony hack | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
President Barack Obama has vowed a US response after North Korea's alleged cyber-attack on Sony Pictures. | |
The US leader also said the studio "made a mistake" in refusing to release a controversial satire depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. | |
On Friday US authorities linked North Korea to the hack, which saw sensitive studio information publicly released. | |
Sony withdrew the film The Interview following continued threats. | |
"We will respond," Mr Obama told reporters on Friday, declining to offer specifics. "We will respond proportionately and in a space, time and manner that we choose." | |
He added: "We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship in the United States." | |
The US leader said it was important to protect both public and private cyber-systems from attack which could have significant economic and social impacts. | |
Mr Obama also noted he believed Sony Pictures was mistaken in failing to go ahead with the release. | |
"Americans cannot change their patterns of behaviour due to the possibility of a terrorist attack," he said. "That's not who we are, that's not what America is about." | |
Analysis: Dave Lee, BBC technology reporter | |
The FBI say it spotted distinct similarities between the type of malware used in the Sony Pictures attack and code used to attack South Korea last year. | |
Suspicious, yes, but well short of being a smoking gun. When any malware is discovered, it is shared around many experts for analysis - any attacker could simply reversion the code for their own use, like a cover version of a song. | |
But there's another, better clue: IP addresses - locations, essentially - known to be part of "North Korean infrastructure" formed part of the malware too. | |
This suggests the attack may have been controlled by people who have acted for North Korea in the past. | |
Earlier on Friday, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation officially tied North Korea to the cyberattack, linking the country to malware used in the incident. | |
Sony cancelled the holiday release of the comedy film after national theatre chains refused to show it. | Sony cancelled the holiday release of the comedy film after national theatre chains refused to show it. |
Hackers had earlier issued a warning referring to the 11 September 2001 terror attacks, saying "the world will be full of fear" if the film was screened. | |
The movie features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an audience with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. | The movie features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists who are granted an audience with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. |
The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him. The film was due to have been released over Christmas. | The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him. The film was due to have been released over Christmas. |
The film's cancelled release drew criticism in Hollywood, with some calling it an attack on the freedom of expression. | The film's cancelled release drew criticism in Hollywood, with some calling it an attack on the freedom of expression. |
Actor George Clooney told the trade website Deadline on Thursday the film should be released online, saying Hollywood shouldn't be threatened by North Korea. | Actor George Clooney told the trade website Deadline on Thursday the film should be released online, saying Hollywood shouldn't be threatened by North Korea. |
In November, a cyber-attack crippled computers at Sony and led to upcoming films and workers' personal data being leaked online. | In November, a cyber-attack crippled computers at Sony and led to upcoming films and workers' personal data being leaked online. |
The hackers also released salary details and social security numbers for thousands of Sony employees - including celebrities. | The hackers also released salary details and social security numbers for thousands of Sony employees - including celebrities. |
North Korea earlier this month denied involvement in the hack - but praised the attack itself as a "righteous deed". | North Korea earlier this month denied involvement in the hack - but praised the attack itself as a "righteous deed". |
An article on North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency, quoting the country's top military body, said suggestions that Pyongyang was behind the attack were "wild rumour". | An article on North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency, quoting the country's top military body, said suggestions that Pyongyang was behind the attack were "wild rumour". |
However, it warned the US that "there are a great number of supporters and sympathisers" of North Korea "all over the world" who may have carried out the attack. | However, it warned the US that "there are a great number of supporters and sympathisers" of North Korea "all over the world" who may have carried out the attack. |
In the article, Sony Pictures was accused of "abetting a terrorist act" and "hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership" of North Korea by producing the movie. | In the article, Sony Pictures was accused of "abetting a terrorist act" and "hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership" of North Korea by producing the movie. |