President Barack Obama held a press conference on Friday, just hours after the Federal Bureau of Investigation named North Korea responsible for the hacking of and brutal threats against Sony Pictures Entertainment.
“I think they made a mistake,” Obama told the nation from the White House, referring to Sony’s actions in pulling “The Interview” in the face of the crippling cyberattack.
“Sony’s a corporation, it suffered significant damage, there were threats against its employees. I am sympathetic to the concerns that they faced … having said all that, yes, I think they made a mistake,” he confirmed at the previously scheduled year-end press conference before he headed off on his family vacation.
“We cannot have a society in which some dictator in some place can start imposing censorship here in the U.S. If somebody can intimidate folks out of releasing a satirical comedy, imagine what they’ll do when they see a documentary or political film they don’t like?
“That’s not what we are, that’s not what America’s about. I’m sympathetic that some private company was worried about liabilities. I wish they’d spoken to me first. Do not get into a pattern in which we’re intimidated by these kind of criminal attacks,” he emphasized.
“I think it says something interesting about North Korea that they decided to have the state mount an all out assault on a movie studio because of a satirical movie starring Seth Rogen and James Flacco,” the president went on to say, mispronouncing “The Interview” co-star James Franco‘s name.
“And I love James, but the notion that that was a threat to [North Korea], I think, gives you a sense of the kind of regime we’re talking about here. They caused a lot of damage, and we will respond; we will respond proportionally, and we will respond in a place and time that we choose.”
“We just confirmed that it was North Korea, we have been working up a range of options, they will be presented to me,” he announced later in the press conference. “I will make a decision on that based on what I believe is proportional and appropriate to the nature of this crime … It’s not something I will announce today at a press conference. Right now it’s the Wild West. This is part of the reason for Congress to work with us to get the bill passed.”
The president also detailed his plan moving forward following the attack on the studio, saying: “In this interconnected, digital world, there are going to be opportunities for hackers to engage in cyberassaults both in the private sector and the public sector. Our first order of business is making sure that we do everything to harden sites and prevent those types of assaults from taking place,” he said, adding that he set up a cybersecurity team to look at ways the government can help the private sector to prevent these types of attacks.
When asked if he would symbolically watch “The Interview,” Obama gave a coy response. “I’ve got a long list of movies I’m going to be watching. I never release my full movie list.”
As TheWrap previously reported, the FBI named North Korea responsible for the attacks carried out against Sony over the release of its controversial assassination comedy “The Interview,” which stars Rogen and Franco as two bumbling journalists tasked by the CIA with killing dictator Kim Jong-un. The studio had planned to release the film on Christmas Day, but shelved the film amid persistent threats and after multiple theater chains announced they wouldn’t run it.
“North Korea’s actions were intended to inflict significant harm on a U.S. business and suppress the right of American citizens to express themselves,” the FBI said in its statement. “Such acts of intimidation fall outside the bounds of acceptable state behavior.”
The formal indictment of North Korea came just after the hackers had issued another threat against Sony employees, which cautioned the studio against ever releasing the film or even leaving trailers up online. Several Sony employees received an email that appeared to come from the so-called “Guardians of Peace,” an individual with knowledge of the email told TheWrap.
“Now we want you never let the movie released, distributed or leaked in any form of, for instance, DVD or piracy.”
“we still have your private and sensitive data” and claims that they will “ensure the security of your data unless you make additional trouble.”
“And we want everything related to the movie, including its trailers, as well as its full version down from any website hosting them immediately.”
The message, part threat and part victory lap, came two days after Sony announced it would not release “The Interview” on Dec. 25 as planned.
“In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film ‘The Interview,’ we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release,” the studio said in a statement to TheWrap on Wednesday. “We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.”
Sony Hack Attack Timeline: From First Cyberbreach and Leaks to 'The Interview' Release (Photos)
As Sony CEO Michael Lynton announces his resignation, let's look back at one of the darkest periods of his tenure: the Sony hack.
News of a massive cyberbreach at Sony Pictures began leaking out in late November. Later reports indicated the studio had been warned weeks earlier.
NOV. 24: The hacker group identified as #GOP purportedly took over computers and hijacked Twitter accounts, sending out ominous messages to Sony staff. Read more.
NOV. 25: Sony Pictures employees greeted with an ominous image on their computer screens when they tried to log in for the work week. Read more.
NOV. 28: Sony struggles to fight #GOP hackers who claim stolen data includes stars’ IDs, budget and contract figures. Read more.
NOV. 30: Investigators know North Korea is unhappy with comedy "The Interview," which makes light of an attempt to assassinate its leader Kim Jong-un. Read more.
DEC. 1: Studio has made progress in restoring critical business systems, insider says at the time. Later reports dispute this. Read more.
DEC. 1: Hack analysis: How much will this ‘nightmare’ cost? Damage to Sony’s reputation will be key in determining the cybercrime’s toll. Read more.
DEC. 1: Blogger posts a spreadsheet of the top 17 executives earning $1 million or more. Read more.
DEC. 1: North Korea denies involvement. A government official previously teased “wait and see.” Read more.
DEC. 2: Sony bosses Michael Lynton and Amy Pascal address "malicious criminal acts" in a company-wide memo to staff. Read more.
DEC. 2: Media outlets obtain spreadsheets including social security numbers and detailed performance reviews for 3,000 Sony Pictures employees. Read more.
DEC. 2: When asked if North Korea was involved, a spokesman for the communist country’s government replied, “Wait and see.” Read now.
DEC. 3: Salaries of ‘The Interview’ stars Seth Rogen and James Franco revealed in Sony hacking leak. Read more.
DEC. 4: Hollywood studios ramp up security in wake of Sony hack. Read more.
DEC. 4: North Korea reportedly denies involvement in Sony hack attack. Read more.
DEC. 4: Sylvester Stallone, Judd Apatow are among 47,000 employees compromised in latest leak. Read more.
DEC. 6: Sony Hack Attack "unparalleled," says head of cybersecurity firm. Read more.
DEC. 7: Sony hackers reportedly worked from Thailand and may have North Korean ties. Internet leaks of confidential data traced to a five-star Bangkok hotel. Read more.
DEC. 8: Sony hackers demand ‘The Interview’ pulled: "Stop immediately showing the movie of terrorism." Read more.
DEC. 8: FBI plan to hold employee cybersecurity awareness briefings on the Sony studio lot. Read more.
DEC. 8: Hackers sent top Sony execs a threatening email days before the attack. Read more.
DEC. 8: Hack exposes celebrity aliases for Tom Hanks, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and more in latest leak. Read more.
DEC. 8: Hackers leak sensitive email of Sony execs Amy Pascal and Steven Mosko. Read more.
DEC. 9: Hackers reveal animated ‘Spider-Man’ comedy in the works. Read more.
DEC. 9: Heated emails between Sony Chief Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin leaked. Read more.
DEC. 10: FBI says attack so sophisticated that it would have gotten past "90 percent" of security firms. Read more.
DEC. 11: Sony hack attack theory suggests North Korea was involved but had insider help. Read more.
DEC. 11: Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin apologize for racially insensitive remarks about President Obama. Read more.
DEC. 11: Kevin Hart responds to leaked Sony emails calling him a ‘whore.’ Read more.
DEC. 11: Hackers flash disturbing new warning on staffers’ computers. Read more.
DEC. 11: Amy Pascal talks to Sharon Waxman about whether she's so damaged she can no longer lead Sony (exclusive). Read more.
DEC. 11: Sony had evidence of server breach as early as February. Read more.
DEC. 12: Sony orders its name removed from "The Interview" marketing materials. Read more.
DEC. 12: Sony arm Crackle pulls hacker movie "The Throwaways." Read more.
DEC. 14: Sony demands media stop publishing stolen data. Read more.
DEC. 14: Producers reveal hackers stole James Bond "Spectre" script. Read more.
DEC. 15: Lawyer's letter confirms "The Interview" was the cause of hack attack. Read more.
DEC. 16: Sony hackers threaten 9/11-style attack on theaters that show "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 16: James Franco and Seth Rogen withdraw from press interviews for "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 16: Sony tells theaters they can pull "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 16: Carmike theater chain drops "The Interview" after hacker terror threat. Read more.
DEC. 16: ArcLight Cinemas drops "The Interview" amid hacker threats. Read more.
DEC. 16: Sony CEO Michael Lynton's emails leaked. Read more.
DEC. 16: Former Sony employees file class-action suit against studio. Read more.
DEC. 16: Landmark Theaters cancels "Interview" New York premiere. Read more.
DEC. 17: Bow Tie Cinemas drops "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Judd Apatow says, "I am going to 'The Interview.'" Read more.
DEC. 17: Rosie O'Donnell says she will not see "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Five major theater chains pull "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Sony Pictures cancels release of "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Hollywood outraged at decision to pull "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Per CNN, US Government to announce North Korea was behind Sony hack. Read more.
DEC. 17: What are U.S. options if North Korea is confirmed as cyberterrorist? Read more.
DEC. 17: Steve Carell’s North Korea movie "Pyongyang" canceled in wake of Sony hack. Read more.
DEC. 17: Rob Lowe, Judd Apatow, Michael Moore and others express their outrage on social media. Read more.
DEC. 18: Paramount thwarts plans by theaters to replace ‘The Interview’ with "Team America: World Police" Read more.
DEC. 18: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rep. Peter King and Colin Powell weigh in on the cancelation of "The Interview. Read more.
DEC. 19: FBI officially implicates North Korea in Sony hack Attack. Read more.
DEC. 19: New Sony leak reveals 50 scripts from Michael Lynton’s inbox. Read more.
DEC. 20: North Korea denies involvement in hack attack, warns U.S and offers to join joint probe. Read more.
DEC. 20: Sony deletes "The Interview’s" social media profiles in wake of hack, movie’s cancellation. Read more.
DEC. 20: Mike Myers returns to Saturday Night Live, reprising his Dr. Evil role from “Austin Powers” to deliver some advice regarding the hack. See more.
DEC. 20: RNC chair Reince Priebus sends a letter urging the CEOs of 10 major theater chains to screen “The Interview.” Read more.
DEC. 21: President Obama insists on CNN that the Sony hack is "cyber vandalism," not "act of war." Watch more.
Dec. 21: Sony attorney says "The Interview" will be distributed despite hackers’ threats. Watch more.
DEC. 22: Security experts register doubts about North Korean involvement in hack. Read more.
DEC. 22: Sony threatens Twitter with lawsuit if additional "stolen information" appears on the service. Read more.
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As Sony CEO Michael Lynton prepares to exit, here’s TheWrap’s blow-by-blow of 2014’s devastating cyberattack on the studio
As Sony CEO Michael Lynton announces his resignation, let's look back at one of the darkest periods of his tenure: the Sony hack.