PlayStation Network services returning in most markets

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PlayStation Network services returning in most markets

The Associated Press Published Thursday, June 2, 2011 6:45AM EDT

Sony Corp.'s headquarters in Tokyo is seen in this Jan. 13, 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye, File)

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TOKYO -

Sony Corp. says it is restoring its PlayStation Network in the U.S., Europe and parts of Asia today after hackers stole customer data and sent services offline in April.

The Tokyo-based company said in a statement Thursday that services will resume in the U.S., Europe and Asia, excluding Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. The restoration includes Sony's Qriocity music services.

Sony shut down the network after a massive security breach that affected more than 100 million online accounts and embarrassed the tech giant.

Sony says it has added "considerable" security enhancements to protect customer data. It hopes to entice customers with a "Welcome Back" package of free game downloads and premium services.

It did not specify a timeline for Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.