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Photo: SK Telecom |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] The Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee of the Korea Consumer Agency has ordered SK Telecom (SKT) to compensate users affected by the data breach that occurred in May. Each affected user is to receive compensation valued at approximately KRW 100,000.
On the 18th, the Committee held a collective dispute mediation meeting and confirmed that SKT is responsible for consumer damages caused by the hacking incident. “Based on the results of the joint public-private investigation in July and the data protection authority’s August rulings, it is recognized that consumers suffered from the leakage of personal information,” a committee representative said.
Specifically, the compensation includes a KRW 50,000 discount on telecommunication fees and 50,000 T-Plus points, which can be used like cash at partner companies.
The mediation followed a petition from 58 consumers on May 9, who reported that their personal information was exposed in the hacking of SKT’s Home Subscriber Server and requested compensation and preventive measures.
If SKT accepts the mediation decision, similar compensation will be extended to other affected users who did not participate in the mediation. The total number of victims could reach approximately 23 million, potentially bringing the total compensation to around KRW 2.3 trillion.
The Committee will notify SK Telecom of the mediation decision promptly. SKT must respond within 15 days of receipt, indicating whether it accepts the terms.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
