Kakao Files Administrative Lawsuit Over 15.1 Billion KRW Fine for Personal Data Leak

Kakao, which was fined a record 15.1 billion KRW in penalties by the Personal Information Protection Commission due to a personal information leak, has filed an administrative lawsuit.

According to industry sources on the 11th, Kakao recently filed a lawsuit challenging the penalty imposition and corrective orders issued by the Personal Information Protection Commission.

Earlier, in March of last year, the Personal Information Protection Commission launched an investigation following reports that personal information of KakaoTalk Open Chat users was being illegally traded. In May, the Commission imposed a penalty of 15.14196 billion KRW on Kakao for violating safety measure obligations, and a fine of 7.8 million KRW for violating safety measure obligations and the obligation to report and notify leaks. The Commission also issued a corrective order requiring Kakao to notify users of the personal information leak. However, Kakao did not comply with this order.

At the time, Kakao stated, "We will actively consider various measures and responses, including administrative lawsuits."