Strava: "We received requests to change functions for data security and personal information protection, but could not comply"
Withdrew from the Korean market in early March along with China, North Korea, Cuba, Russia, and Belarus
The world's largest sports application (app), 'Strava,' has withdrawn from the Korean market due to digital user protection regulations imposed by the Korea Communications Commission. Since early this month, the Strava app has been unavailable for download on the Korean Apple App Store and Google Play Store. In addition to Korea, Strava has also ceased services in China, North Korea, Cuba, Russia, and Belarus.
Regarding the reason for withdrawing from the Korean market, a Strava representative told Asia Economy on the 21st, "The Korea Communications Commission and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) requested changes to some app functions citing data security and personal information protection for Strava users in Korea," adding, "We do not have the capability to create country-specific apps, so we decided to withdraw from the Korean market." KISA stated that the Digital User Base Division of the Korea Communications Commission was responsible for the matter, and KISA provided technical support for security tasks.
The issue arose because Strava accessed functions such as the microphone on users' phones without obtaining user consent. Under the current Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (Information and Communications Network Act), apps must obtain user consent before accessing specific information or permissions on a phone. KISA discovered this issue in the second half of last year and recommended several improvements to Strava, but Strava reportedly decided to withdraw from the Korean market altogether. A Korea Communications Commission official said, "We are reviewing the detailed violations," and added, "If they want to provide services in Korea, they must comply with our laws to protect domestic users."
Strava, founded in 2009 in San Francisco, USA, is a startup operating the world's most widely used sports platform. It has an estimated 130 million users worldwide. Its distinctive feature is utilizing the smartphone's built-in Global Positioning System (GPS). Users can check leaderboards for specific segments and compare their current and past records on the same segment. Sharing workout results with followers within the app provides motivation, earning it the nickname "Instagram for athletes" among fitness enthusiasts.
Strava announced that it has withdrawn its services not only from South Korea but also from China, North Korea, Cuba, Russia, and Belarus.
Many users were caught off guard by the sudden service termination. On sports communities, reactions included, "All my workout records disappeared after Strava withdrew," and "I'm considering alternatives to Strava."
Previously, Strava faced criticism for security threats due to revealing the locations of U.S. military bases and the activity ranges of U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Syria. In July 2023, a retired Russian naval officer who was a frequent Strava user was assassinated. He was listed as a war criminal in the Ukraine war. At that time, Russian media speculated that Strava's location data might have been used in the assassination.
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