UK organized crime unit arrests man in connection with Playstation and Xbox disruptions

Authorities in Britain have arrested an 18-year-old man accused of computer hacking offenses related to days of disruption on Sony's PlayStation Network and Microsoft's Xbox Live services last year.

Police said Friday he was also arrested in connection with false threats in the United States — a practice known as "swatting," or providing false information suggesting that a threat exists so that police respond with SWAT teams. Authorities declined to say where in the United States the alleged offense occurred.

The South East Organized Crime Unit says it worked with the FBI in the investigation into the alleged activities of the man from Southport, a seaside town in northwest England. The man, who was not identified, was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized access to computer material and threats to kill.