Ahead of the AI Basic Act... Concerns Rise Over Expanded Data Collection
Kakao: "Preparing for AI Services... Additional Collection Requires Separate Consent"
As Kakao prepares to launch artificial intelligence (AI) services next year and revises its terms of service, users have raised concerns that the scope of service usage record analysis may be expanding. In response, Kakao has drawn a clear line, stating that these changes are merely preemptive measures ahead of the introduction of new AI services and the enforcement of the AI Basic Act, and are unrelated to any expansion of personal data collection.
According to the information and communications technology (ICT) industry on December 21, Kakao recently amended its integrated service terms and individual service terms, explicitly stating that, starting February 4, 2026, it may analyze and utilize service usage records and usage patterns. The revised terms include provisions allowing the company to provide personalized content or advertisements during service use, and stipulate that if AI-generated results are provided, users will be notified in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
This move is interpreted as a response to the upcoming enforcement of the AI Basic Act. The AI Basic Act requires that, when providing products or services using high-impact or generative AI, users must be informed in advance that the service operates based on AI.
The revised terms also specify that if a user does not express their refusal within seven days after the effective date of the new terms, it will be considered as consent to the changes. If users do not agree to the new terms, they may terminate their service agreement.
After news of these changes spread, some users criticized Kakao, arguing that the company may be attempting to collect excessive user information, and that, in effect, it is impossible to use Kakao services without agreeing to the new terms.
Kakao has refuted these claims, stating that they are not true. According to Kakao, this revision is part of preparations for the launch of new AI services such as 'Kanana in KakaoTalk' next year, and if any additional personal data collection is required for these new services, a separate consent process will be conducted.
Kakao also emphasized that the analysis of service usage records and user patterns is already included in its privacy policy, and that existing services have collected and utilized such information with user consent. The company explained that the latest revision to the terms is intended to establish a comprehensive basis for the application of new AI-based services.
A Kakao representative added, "The provision that considers a lack of refusal within a certain period as consent is based on the Fair Trade Commission's standard terms of use," and noted, "Most companies use the same wording."
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