🚨 Personal Information Leaks: Safe Information Management and Response Methods

Today Korean Social News | 2025.05.12

📌 SKT SIM Card Information Leak...Class Action Lawsuit Participants Exceed 80,000

💬 SK Telecom users are joining a class action lawsuit after a hacking incident leaked SIM card information of approximately 23 million subscribers. Victims are concerned about the leak of SIM card unique numbers, subscriber identification numbers (IMSI), and device unique numbers (IMEI), which may lead to secondary damage. One victim claims to have lost 50 million won after someone created a clone phone, and police investigation is ongoing. Currently, over 80,000 people have joined the class action lawsuit, and law firms are formalizing the legal proceedings.

Summary

• Personal information leak occurs when your information is exposed externally without your consent.
• Leaked information can lead to financial fraud, identity theft, and other secondary damage.
• Quick response and evidence collection are important when a leak occurs.

1️⃣ Definition

Personal information leak refers to when personally identifiable information is disclosed externally or transferred to third parties without the person's consent. Simply put, it's when your information becomes known to others or can be misused without your knowledge.

This is a serious problem that violates personal privacy and can lead to various harms including financial loss and identity theft.

💡 Why is this important?

• Personal information is an important asset and a right that must be protected in modern society.
• Leaked information can be misused for various financial frauds and crimes.
• The scale and damage of information leaks are rapidly growing in the digital age.
• Companies and organizations have increasing responsibility to protect personal information.

2️⃣ Types and Risks of Personal Information Leaks

📕 Main Types of Leaks

• Personal information leaks occur through several channels. The main types include:

  • Hacking: External attackers illegally steal information by exploiting system vulnerabilities.
  • Internal leaks: Organization employees intentionally or accidentally leak information externally.
  • Phishing and smishing: Methods that trick users into providing personal information through false information.
  • Technical errors: Information exposure due to system defects or configuration errors.
  • Physical theft: Theft of devices containing personal information (laptops, hard drives, etc.).

• The types of leaked information are also diverse. Main information types include:

  • Personal identification information: Name, social security number, address, phone number, etc.
  • Financial information: Credit card numbers, account numbers, financial transaction details, etc.
  • Biometric information: Fingerprints, iris, facial recognition data, etc.
  • Location information: GPS data, travel routes, etc.
  • Medical information: Health status, medical records, prescription details, etc.
  • Communication information: Call records, text content, emails, etc.

📕 Risks of Personal Information Leaks

• Personal information leaks can lead to various secondary damage. Main risks include:

  • Financial fraud: Loan fraud, card theft, unauthorized account withdrawals using leaked information
  • Identity theft: Signing contracts or committing crimes under someone else's name
  • Spam and advertising: Receiving unwanted marketing or advertising messages
  • Privacy violation: Exposure of personal behavior patterns, habits, preferences, etc.
  • Damage to social reputation: When sensitive personal information is disclosed, damaging honor or reputation

• The social impact of personal information leaks is also significant. Main impacts include:

  • Decline in corporate credibility: Damage to reputation and trust of the company that managed the information
  • Financial loss: Financial damage to both individuals and companies
  • Strengthened regulations: Socially strengthened regulations and legal responsibilities for personal information protection
  • Psychological anxiety: Increased psychological stress and anxiety among leak victims
  • Digital activity reduction: Expanded distrust in using online services and providing information

Warning Signs of Personal Information Leaks

1. Unfamiliar transactions on credit card statements: Check for payments from unknown stores or strange amount withdrawals.
2. Unfamiliar account activity: When you receive login notifications or password change requests for activities you didn't do.
3. Email or SNS account hacking: When there are traces of messages sent that you didn't send.
4. Unfamiliar loans or credit inquiries: When there are records of loans or credit inquiries you didn't apply for.
5. Sudden increase in spam: When you receive more spam messages or calls than usual.

3️⃣ Response and Prevention Methods

✅ How to Respond to Personal Information Leaks

• If you discover a personal information leak, you should respond quickly. Main response methods include:

  • Immediate password changes: Immediately change passwords for all important accounts.
  • Contact financial institutions: Inform credit card companies, banks of the situation and request card suspension or enhanced monitoring.
  • Check credit information: Check your credit information through the Korea Credit Information Agency to verify unusual activity.
  • Collect evidence: Capture or record evidence of unusual transaction details, notification messages, etc.
  • File reports: Report to police (112), Personal Information Infringement Report Center (118), Financial Supervisory Service (1332), etc.

• Legal responses can also be considered. Main legal response methods include:

  • Claim for damages: You can claim civil damages from companies or organizations that leaked personal information.
  • Participate in class action lawsuits: For large-scale leak incidents, you can participate in class action lawsuits with other victims.
  • Apply for dispute mediation: You can attempt relatively simple dispute resolution through the Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee.
  • Connect with consumer organizations: You can respond at the public interest level through consumer organizations.
  • Insurance claims: If you have personal information leak insurance, you can claim insurance benefits.

✅ How to Prevent Personal Information Leaks

• Habits that protect personal information in daily life are important. Main prevention methods include:

  • Use strong passwords: Use complex and unique passwords and change them regularly.
  • Set up two-factor authentication: Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for as many services as possible.
  • Be cautious of suspicious links: Don't click on links in emails or texts from unknown sources.
  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi when handling important personal information.
  • Software updates: Keep devices and apps updated to the latest version to address security vulnerabilities.

• Awareness of personal information management is also important. Main management methods include:

  • Minimize information provision: Don't provide information that isn't essential.
  • Check terms and conditions: Carefully check privacy policies and terms when signing up for services.
  • Check personal information usage details: Regularly check how your personal information is being used.
  • Delete unnecessary accounts: Delete accounts for services you no longer use.
  • Manage digital footprint: Regularly review and manage your information that's publicly available online.

4️⃣ Related Terms Explanation

🔎 Personal Information Protection Act

• The Personal Information Protection Act is a law containing regulations on the collection and use of personal information.
• The Personal Information Protection Act is a law that regulates the collection, use, provision, and management of personal information to protect individual freedom and rights. It was enacted in 2011 and has been amended several times to develop in line with changes in the digital environment.
• Key contents include: First, obtaining consent from the data subject when collecting personal information and prohibiting use beyond the collection purpose. Second, stipulating technical and administrative protection measures for the safe management of personal information. Third, notifying data subjects and reporting to relevant agencies in case of personal information leaks. Fourth, guaranteeing the data subject's rights to access, correct, delete, and stop processing.
• Violations of the Personal Information Protection Act can result in strong sanctions including fines up to 500 million won, imprisonment up to 5 years, or fines up to 50 million won. Remedies through class action lawsuits or group lawsuits are also possible.

🔎 USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module)

• A USIM is a smart card responsible for telecom subscriber information and authentication.
• A USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) is a smart card containing subscriber information needed to use mobile telecommunication services. The USIM stores the subscriber's phone number, unique identification number, authentication information, etc., allowing access to the communication network and use of services.
• Main functions of a USIM include: First, subscriber identification and authentication, verifying the user when accessing the communication network. Second, enabling call and text message services. Third, data storage function for phone books, text messages, etc. Fourth, security function, protecting personal information through encryption.
• If USIM information is leaked, it can enable fraud such as creating "clone USIMs" to make calls or send messages using someone else's phone number. Particularly in reality where phone authentication is widely used for financial authentication or personal information verification, USIM cloning can lead to serious secondary damage.

🔎 Class Action Lawsuit

• A class action lawsuit is a system where multiple victims file a lawsuit together.
• A class action lawsuit is a system where multiple victims file a lawsuit together through a representative party on matters with common interests. It is used as an efficient means of rights relief in small claim cases or large-scale damage cases that are difficult to litigate individually.
• Main characteristics of class action lawsuits include: First, a representative party conducts the lawsuit on behalf of all victims. Second, the lawsuit results apply to identical victims who did not participate in the lawsuit (extension of judgment effect). Third, litigation costs are shared and professional legal support can be received, reducing individual burden.
• In Korea, class action lawsuits have been limited to the securities field since 2005, but discussions on enacting a consumer class action law have been active recently. In the case of personal information leak incidents, while not class action lawsuits in the true sense under current law, the method of multiple victims filing lawsuits together in the form of "joint lawsuits" is being utilized.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How can I check if my personal information has been leaked?

A: There are several ways to check if your personal information has been leaked. First, check official notifications from the company or organization. When a large-scale leak occurs, companies must inform customers and guide response measures. Second, use personal information leak verification services. You can check through services like the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)'s "Personal Information Exposure Check Service" or the Financial Supervisory Service's "Financial Transaction History Inquiry Service." Third, check your credit information through credit information companies. You can check if there are loans or card issuances you didn't apply for. Fourth, use email address leak verification services (e.g., "Have I Been Pwned"). You can check if your email was included in data leak incidents. Fifth, carefully watch for unusual signs. If spam emails or texts suddenly increase, or you receive registration confirmation emails for services you didn't use, these could be signs of personal information leaks.

Q: What are ways to receive compensation when damaged by personal information leaks?

A: Methods for compensation for personal information leak damage are as follows. First, you can directly request compensation from the company. Contact the company where the leak occurred, inform them of the damage, and request compensation. Second, you can apply for mediation with the Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee. You can attempt relatively simple dispute resolution through the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)'s Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee. Third, you can file a civil lawsuit. You can file a lawsuit claiming damages for negligent management of personal information by the company, and the Personal Information Protection Act requires the company to prove there was no intention or negligence. Fourth, you can participate in a class action lawsuit (joint lawsuit). For large-scale leak incidents, filing a lawsuit together with victims may be efficient. Fifth, if financial damage occurred, you can report to the Financial Supervisory Service or police to request investigation. It's important to secure sufficient evidence of damage. The compensation amount can include actual financial damage and mental damage (consolation money), and courts determine the compensation amount by comprehensively considering the importance of the personal information, scale of the leak, company response, etc.