People Power Party: "SKT to Automatically Enroll Communication-Vulnerable Groups in USIM Protection Service"

"Ordered to Accelerate eSIM Replacement Process"

The People Power Party announced on the 1st, "SK Telecom has decided to pursue a plan to automatically enroll communication-vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities or the elderly who have difficulty visiting T World stores, in the USIM Protection Service."

Kim Heejung, head of the People Power Party’s 'SKT Consumer Rights and Personal Information Task Force (TF)', said this after an urgent meeting regarding the SKT USIM hacking incident held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the same day, stating, "There are people who have difficulty signing up for the USIM Protection Service."

People Power Party's Kwon Youngse, Emergency Response Committee Chairman, is speaking at an urgent meeting for SK Telecom consumer rights and personal information protection held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News

Chairperson Kim explained, "In accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act, SKT has been instructed to promptly provide individual notifications regarding which personal information items were leaked, how the leak occurred, ways for data subjects to minimize damage, and the response measures taken."

She continued, "SKT reported on various software measures currently in development, including the USIM Protection Service, and promised to immediately provide individual notifications as each relevant date arrives, so that all victims can utilize these services without further harm."

In particular, Chairperson Kim stated, "I instructed SKT to accelerate the process of easily replacing eSIMs, and SKT responded that they would do so."

The meeting also discussed the possibility of exempting SKT users from number portability penalties.

Choi Hyungdoo, secretary of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, said at the meeting, "There were many opinions that it would not be appropriate for SKT to charge penalties since SKT is at fault, and SKT said it would review the legal issues involved."