Announcement of Data Leakage Prevention Measures at All Stages
Preparation of Guides and Staff Training in Retail Stores
Public and Private Sectors Agree to Voluntarily Comply
The government is strengthening the responsibility of mobile carriers to prevent data leaks during the process of subscribing to and returning mobile devices and distributing used phones.
On the 27th, the Korea Communications Commission announced that it has established a 'Step-by-step Voluntary Improvement Plan to Prevent Mobile Phone Data Leaks' covering stages from mobile phone subscription to cancellation, used phone distribution, after-sales service, and disposal.
This is the result of operating a public-private consultative body since November last year, involving mobile carriers, distribution associations, used phone companies, and consumer groups.
There have been incidents where customers' photos were leaked after returning their phones to mobile phone stores, or threats to leak photos stored on purchased used phones, highlighting the issue of data leaks within mobile phones.
In particular, the used phone distribution stage lacks any laws or regulations governing the various data stored on mobile phones beyond the Personal Information Protection Act.
‘One-page Guide’ Provided at Stores... Strengthened Education
Accordingly, the Korea Communications Commission plans to prepare a 'one-page guide' explaining compliance requirements for distribution stores and user precautions to provide guidance on preventing data leaks.
The guide specifies that distribution store employees must △ notify and obtain consent before accessing or using customers' phones △ handle and process data in front of the customer △ immediately delete data upon receiving used phones.
Customers must △ avoid moving from their seat as much as possible △ back up and delete data themselves △ delete data when handing over used phones.
Education for mobile carrier distribution store employees handling data is also expected to be strengthened. There is also consideration of selecting excellent stores that comply with the guide and have no incidents for a certain period.
Recommendation to Include Confirmation Checkbox in Used Phone Purchase Agreements
The domestic used phone transaction volume is estimated at about 7.5 million units, with transaction amounts around 2 trillion won. This is about half the volume of new phone shipments. However, the lack of institutional measures or voluntary guidelines beyond the Personal Information Protection Act has been pointed out as a problem.
Therefore, it was recommended to include a confirmation checkbox in purchase agreements during used phone transactions regarding factory reset or the use of paid deletion programs.
In particular, since most distribution stores or online platforms often trade without separately using used phone purchase agreements, the need for a 'standard agreement' was raised.
For distribution store workers, education on used phone transactions will be strengthened, and users will be provided with easy-to-understand guidance on factory reset methods to facilitate data deletion.
Strengthening Data Leak Prevention during Repair and Disposal
The Korea Communications Commission also strengthened measures considering the possibility of data leak incidents during mobile phone after-sales service and disposal stages. There was an actual case where an employee at a private repair shop leaked customers' photos by posting them in a group chat.
Therefore, users will be guided to utilize manufacturers' currently implemented data leak prevention systems when repairing their phones.
For disposed phones, to prevent data leak incidents, support for used phone collection projects with carriers and manufacturers will continue.
Participants in the public-private consultative body agreed to actively comply voluntarily with the step-by-step data leak prevention measures.
The Korea Communications Commission will continue to discover new improvements such as education for distribution store workers and methods to reduce stored data on phones. It will also continue discussions with related businesses to enable users to use paid data deletion programs more affordably and conveniently.
Commissioner Dong-kwan Lee of the Korea Communications Commission said, "It is significant that the public and private sectors have united to establish a voluntary improvement plan to prevent mobile phone data leaks," adding, "We will continue to proactively develop various policies to prevent data leaks and promote the revision of related laws and regulations."
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