Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Coupang, South Korea's leading e-commerce platform, has disclosed a significant data breach that has affected approximately 33.7 million user accounts. Dubbed the “Amazon of South Korea,” the company publicly recognized the issue on Sunday, prompting concern from its clientele.
In a message on the company website, CEO Park Dae-jun stated, “We sincerely apologise once again for causing our customers inconvenience.” The breach has reportedly revealed users' names, email addresses, phone numbers, shipping details, and some order histories. However, Coupang confirmed that sensitive payment information and login details remain secure.
Government authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with an emergency meeting held on Sunday to evaluate potential breaches of personal data protection legislation. Bae Kyung-hoon, Minister of Science and ICT, noted that the matter is currently undergoing official scrutiny.
Coupang discovered the breach on November 18 and promptly informed the relevant authorities. Collaborating with law enforcement, the company is endeavoring to identify the perpetrator, reportedly a former employee from China. The unauthorized access is suspected to have begun on June 24 via foreign servers.
With 24.7 million active users in the third quarter utilizing its “Rocket” fast delivery service, Coupang is integral to everyday life in South Korea. The Korea Internet & Security Agency has alerted affected users, recommending vigilance against phishing attempts and dubious correspondence.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about data security within South Korea's burgeoning technology sector, raising important questions about corporate responsibility and protective measures against cyber threats.
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