Yoon Suk-yeol: "Mandatory Notification to Subscribers When Providing Communication Data to Investigative Agencies"

'Simkung Promise' 15th Pledge
Prosecutors' Office Seems Aware of Controversy Over 'Communication Data Inquiry'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, has pledged to make it mandatory for telecommunications companies to notify subscribers when providing personal communication data to investigative agencies.

On the 20th, Yoon announced this as the 15th promise in his "Seok-yeol's Heart-Throbbing Promise" series.

He stated, "Currently, investigative agencies such as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the prosecution, and the National Intelligence Service can request and receive personal communication data of subscribers registered with mobile carriers, including names, resident registration numbers, addresses, and phone numbers, without court approval under the Telecommunications Business Act," and pointed out, "Despite millions of cases annually where subscriber information is provided to investigative agencies, most subscribers are unaware of this fact until they directly check the data inquiry themselves."

He further explained, "This is because telecommunications companies that provide personal communication data to investigative agencies have no obligation to notify the subscriber themselves."

He also highlighted, "While communication data inquiries for public interest purposes such as investigations can be socially agreed upon, there is insufficient mechanism for the public to detect abuse of communication inquiries for surveillance purposes."

Yoon promised to prevent "blind communication data inquiries" by requiring telecommunications companies to notify the concerned party of the inquiry within 10 days. He added a provision allowing notification delays of up to six months only when necessary for investigation security, etc.

Previously, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials faced controversy after it was revealed that it had extensively inquired into communication data of journalists, politicians, and university students.