South Korea Probes Massive Coupang Data Breach Affecting 33 Million Users
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
SEOUL, Dec 1 (GeokHub) — South Korean authorities have launched a criminal investigation after e-commerce giant Coupang confirmed a major data breach exposed the personal information of more than 33 million users, making it the largest leak in the country’s history.
The exposed data reportedly includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, shipping addresses, and order histories. Payment information and login credentials appear to be unaffected. The breach is believed to have occurred via external servers, with the company discovering unauthorized access in mid-November.
Preliminary findings indicate that a former employee may have misused an authentication key that remained active after leaving the company, granting unauthorized access to the database. Investigators are currently tracing IP addresses, reviewing server logs, and assessing vulnerabilities in the company’s data security systems.
The incident has prompted public outrage, with many affected users considering legal action for potential privacy violations and the risk of identity theft. Cybersecurity experts are warning of increased risks, including phishing and fraudulent activity, urging users to monitor accounts and take precautionary measures.
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Coupang and government regulators face intense pressure to strengthen data protection measures and ensure compliance with national personal-information regulations. The breach highlights broader concerns over how major tech platforms manage and safeguard user data in an era of increasing cyber threats.
