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Seoul Police Raid Coupang HQ Amid Massive 33.7 Million User Data Breach

Seoul police have taken decisive action by raiding Coupang's headquarters to gather evidence on a major data breach. The incident exposed the sensitive personal information of a staggering 33.7 million customers. At the same time, a separate investigation is looking into whether Coupang made it too difficult for users to delete their accounts. This double scrutiny puts significant pressure on the e-commerce giant to address both security and consumer rights issues.

Key Points: Police Raid Coupang Over Data Breach Affecting 33.7 Million

  • Police raided Coupang's Seoul HQ to seize digital evidence on the data breach
  • The breach compromised names, phone numbers, and delivery details of 33.7 million users
  • A separate FTC probe is examining Coupang's complex account deletion process
  • Authorities are tracking a suspect using the secured Internet Protocol address from the leak
2 min read

Police raid Coupang to seize evidence related to major data breach

Seoul police raid Coupang's headquarters to seize evidence related to a massive data breach compromising 33.7 million customers' personal information.

"Based on the secured digital evidence, (we) plan to comprehensively determine the overall facts of the case, such as the leaker of the personal information as well as the route and cause of the leak. - Police Official"

Seoul, Dec 9

Police on Tuesday raided the headquarters of e-commerce giant Coupang in South Korea to seize evidence related to the company's massive data breach, officials said.

The search-and-seizure took place after Coupang disclosed late last month that personal information of 33.7 million customers had been compromised, including their names, phone numbers, email addresses and delivery details, reports Yonhap news agency.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's cyber investigation team sent officials to the company's headquarters in southern Seoul to search for evidence that could help determine how the breach took place.

"Based on the secured digital evidence, (we) plan to comprehensively determine the overall facts of the case, such as the leaker of the personal information as well as the route and cause of the leak," a police official said.

Police had previously investigated the case based on data voluntarily submitted by Coupang.

Police earlier said they are tracking down the suspect behind the data breach after securing the Internet Protocol address that was used.

Meanwhile, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into allegations that e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. deliberately made its account withdrawal process complex, officials said.

The investigation aims to determine whether Coupang's account deletion procedures violate the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce, according to the officials.

The probe comes amid criticism that users seeking to delete their Coupang account must complete multiple steps, including entering their password twice, filling out a survey and going through other procedures.

At the same time, the FTC has ordered Coupang to submit measures to simplify its account deletion procedures as a preemptive consumer protection measure, noting that the investigation could take months to conclude, the officials said.

Additionally, the antitrust regulator is also looking into suspicions that Coupang's terms of service may violate related laws.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The part about making account deletion complex is so relatable! Many apps and websites in India do the same thing. You have to jump through hoops just to leave. The FTC in Korea is doing the right thing. Our Consumer Affairs ministry should take note and act against such dark patterns.
R
Rohit P
Police raid is a strong step. Shows they are serious. In India, often such big corporate data breaches get a slap on the wrist or long, drawn-out court cases. Swift action deters others. Hope they find the culprit soon.
S
Sarah B
As someone who shops online frequently, this is terrifying. Delivery details leaked too? That's a direct safety risk. Companies collect so much data but don't seem to protect it equally well. Time to be more careful about what we share, even with "trusted" platforms.
V
Vikram M
While the police action is good, I hope the investigation is thorough and fair. Sometimes in the rush to show action, authorities can overreach. The focus should be on fixing the systemic security failure, not just finding a scapegoat. The complex account deletion is a separate but equally important consumer rights issue.
K
Karthik V
Data is the new oil, they say. But if you can't secure the refinery, you shouldn't be allowed to drill. Fines need to be massive, proportionate to the revenue of these giants. That's the only language they understand. DPDP Act in India needs strong enforcement teeth.

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