Coupang Suffers Significant Data Breach Affecting Millions

Coupang, the leading e-commerce platform in South Korea, has disclosed a significant data breach impacting 33.7 million customer accounts, raising serious alarms among its user base. Known as the “Korean Amazon,” Coupang made this announcement and issued a formal apology on Sunday.

In a statement on the company’s website, CEO Park Dae-jun expressed, “We truly apologize for the trouble we have caused our customers.” The breach has reportedly led to the exposure of names, email addresses, phone numbers, shipping details, and select order histories; however, payment information and login credentials remain secure, according to the company.

Authorities are actively investigating the matter. An emergency government meeting convened on Sunday to determine if Coupang breached any personal data protection regulations. Bae Kyung-hoon, the Minister of Science and ICT, confirmed that the breach is currently being scrutinized.

Coupang uncovered the breach on November 18 and promptly alerted the pertinent authorities. Law enforcement agencies are collaborating with Coupang to trace the breach’s origins, with reports suggesting that a former employee from China may have played a role. The unauthorized access is believed to have initiated on June 24 through external servers.

With 24.7 million active users in the third quarter, benefiting from its “Rocket” rapid delivery service, Coupang is integral to the everyday lives of many South Koreans. The Korea Internet & Security Agency, a government entity, has advised affected users to be vigilant against phishing scams and dubious communications.

This incident adds to the growing list of data breaches occurring within major South Korean corporations, prompting discussions about cybersecurity practices and the accountability of businesses in the rapidly expanding tech sector.