PlayStation users report worrying PSN security issue as unknown accounts appear without permission

PlayStation users are reporting a worrying PSN security issue, with unknown family members allegedly being added to accounts without permission, raising concerns about personal information and account security.

As brought to our attention by X user Pirat_Nation, some PlayStation users have reportedly claimed that unauthorised individuals have accessed their accounts, allegedly bypassing PSN passwords and two-factor authentication before adding unfamiliar family members without permission.

It's unclear at this time whether the reported PlayStation Network security issue is related to previous incidents. In December 2025, PSN account security concerns emerged after reports that accounts could be accessed despite having two-factor authentication enabled. Then, in May 2026, another reported PSN security issue raised concerns about attackers potentially exploiting the account recovery process.

PSN security complaints reportedly date back weeks

Although the reports have picked up attention this week, similar PSN security complaints appear to date back to early October, with users reporting unknown family members being added to their accounts and their sign-in details changed without permission. It's still unclear whether these incidents are linked.

What does an unauthorised PSN family member mean for your account?

Sony hasn't officially confirmed the cause of the latest reports at the time of writing, and it's unclear what an unauthorised family member could access if the issue is genuine.

PlayStation's family management system allows family members to have different roles and permissions. Depending on their role and account settings, family members may be able to access certain family features, while the family manager can manage parental controls and spending limits for child accounts.

PlayStation's rules state that child accounts can spend from the family manager's wallet within their assigned spending limit, which is set to zero by default when the family manager creates the account. However, it's unclear whether the unauthorised accounts involved in these reports could use this feature, so players shouldn't assume their payment details have been exposed.

Being added as a family member doesn't automatically grant someone access to the account holder's saved card details, password, private messages or other personal information. There is currently no verified evidence that the reported issue exposes these details, so it's worth treating such concerns with caution, but at the same time, never assume your account is always safe.

How to protect your PlayStation Network account

According to PlayStation Support, there are several steps you can take to help protect your account. If you suspect someone has accessed it without permission, use a strong, unique password that you don't use elsewhere.

• Sign in to your PlayStation account and check for unexpected changes to your associated email address or other personal information.
• Review your Family Management settings on your console or through the official PlayStation Family Management app to see if any family members have been added without your permission.
• Check your transaction history for any purchases you don't recognise.
• Make sure you have two-step verification or a passkey enabled to help protect your account.
• If you suspect someone has accessed your account without permission, use your account settings to sign out of all devices. This can help end unauthorised sessions, although it may not resolve the underlying issue.
• If you find an unfamiliar family member, contact PlayStation Support for advice, as child accounts can't simply be removed from a family list.
• If you notice suspicious activity or unexpected changes, contact PlayStation Support immediately.

GAMINGbible has reached out to Sony for comment.