Alphabiz - Kakao Challenges Record Fine Over Personal Data Breach

Photo = Yonhap news

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] Kakao has filed an administrative lawsuit in response to a 15.1 billion KRW ($11.3 million) fine imposed for a personal data breach—the largest fine ever levied on a domestic company for such an issue.

According to industry sources on the 11th, Kakao filed the lawsuit on November 1, opposing the fine and corrective orders from the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC).

The PIPC previously determined that Kakao failed to adequately safeguard user information, resulting in the leak of 65,000 personal data records. This decision followed a March 2023 investigation prompted by reports of illegal trading of KakaoTalk open chat user data.

In May, the PIPC fined Kakao 15.1 billion KRW for neglecting security obligations, along with an additional 7.8 million KRW ($5,800) for violations related to notification and reporting of the breach. Kakao was also ordered to notify affected users about the data leak.

Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)