WikiLeaks publishes entire database from Sony hack believing it belongs in the public domain

JUST as Sony Pictures Entertainment thought they had recovered from the highly publicised hacking scandal, Julian Assange entered the picture.

MONTHS after the highly publicised hacking scandal crippled Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Hollywood heavyweight thought it had recovered.

This was until WikiLeaks — the website best known for releasing classified US military documents and diplomatic records — reignited public interest after publishing the studio’s leaked information on its website.

The infamous website published 30,287 documents and 173,132 emails on Thursday under “The Sony Archives”.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange released a statement on the website defending his actions.

“This archive shows the inner workings of an influential multinational corporation,” he wrote.

“It is newsworthy and at the centre of a geopolitical conflict. It belongs in the public domain. WikiLeaks will ensure it stays there.”

Sony Pictures quickly hit back with a statement of its own, questioning the need to make the documents publicly available.

“The attackers used the dissemination of stolen information to try to harm SPE and its employees, and now WikiLeaks regrettably is assisting them in that effort,” said a Sony Pictures spokesman in a statement.

“We vehemently disagree with WikiLeaks’ assertion that this material belongs in the public domain and will continue to fight for the safety, security, and privacy of our company and its more than 6,000 employees.”

Motion Picture Association of America Chairman Chris Dodd echoed Sony’s sentiments, describing WikiLeaks’ decision to release the data as a “despicable act.”

“This information was stolen from Sony Pictures as part of an illegal and unprecedented cyberattack,” he said in a statement.

“WikiLeaks is not performing a public service by making this information easily searchable. Instead, with this despicable act, WikiLeaks is further violating the privacy of every person involved.”

In the wake of the scandal, US officials confirmed North Korean was behind the attack as retaliation over Sony Pictures’ release of The Interview — Seth Rogen’s film about a fictional attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The studio is currently exploring legal options to deal with the WikiLeaks release.