“Delays in verifying personal data leaks increase public anxiety”
[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Bae Hoon-sik reports that on the 13th, a day before SK Telecom’s cyber breach penalty waiver deadline, the logos of the three major telecom companies are displayed at a mobile phone store in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The breach has intensified the customer acquisition battle among the three telecom companies, leading to heated competition with subsidies.
[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Sim Ji-hye reports that the Seoul YMCA Citizen Mediation Office has directly requested an investigation from the Personal Information Protection Commission concerning the suspected data breaches at KT and LG Uplus.
On the 4th, Seoul YMCA issued a statement urging the Personal Information Protection Commission to investigate the alleged security breaches at KT and LG Uplus, as exposed through various media reports and pointed out by National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee Chairwoman Choi Min-hee.
YMCA criticized the government for initially concluding in July that there were “no damages” from their inspection of the two companies, only to later revise their stance multiple times to “under review,” “tentative security breach,” and “under inspection,” leading to public confusion.
They argued that failing to clearly disclose the possibility of data leaks and delay actions would only leave public anxiety unchecked and could result in irreparable damage if breaches are confirmed late.
Current telecommunications network laws require a company’s “voluntary report” before the Ministry of Science and ICT can organize a joint investigation team to conduct a detailed on-site investigation. The Seoul YMCA emphasized that many subscribers are anxious due to this loophole and urged the Personal Information Protection Commission to take prompt and direct action.