Group calls for investigation into personal data practices across business messaging market
'Not just Kakao — telecom carriers need scrutiny too'
Calls grow to strengthen consumers' right to opt out
As consumer frustration mounts over the flood of promotional messages arriving via text and KakaoTalk, calls are growing for a comprehensive investigation into how personal data is handled across the business messaging market.
The push extends beyond Kakao to include mobile carriers, with advocates arguing that telecom operators must face the same level of scrutiny over their personal data practices.
The Korea Consumer Association on Tuesday urged that both Kakao and telecom carriers be investigated over how they handle personal data in their business messaging services. "How are companies obtaining consumers' phone numbers, and whose consent are they relying on to send advertisements?" the group said in a statement.
Earlier, the Seoul YMCA Citizens' Mediation Center filed a complaint with the Personal Information Protection Commission, alleging that Kakao's brand messaging service may have used personal data without proper consent.
The Korea Consumer Association went further, arguing that promotional text messages sent by telecom carriers should be investigated under the same standards applied to Kakao.
The group said it had submitted a complaint to the Korea Internet & Security Agency's personal information infringement reporting center, requesting an investigation into whether KT Corp, LG Uplus, SK Telecom and SK Broadband had violated the Personal Information Protection Act. It added that it also planned to file a separate request for investigation with the Personal Information Protection Commission.
The association said consumers who sign up for telecom services have not thereby consented to receiving advertisements from all companies.
"If personal data has been used for advertising beyond the scope of what consumers agreed to, that potential violation of the Personal Information Protection Act must be investigated," the group said, adding that the probe should cover the entire process — from sending advertisements to providing outcome data, through to storage and deletion.
The group also called for stronger opt-out rights, so that consumers can easily refuse unwanted advertisements.
"If consumers must go through a separate opt-out process for every individual sender, their rights cannot be adequately protected," the association said, urging the government to establish a system that allows consumers to block unwanted business advertising messages with ease and to opt out of promotional messages all at once.
The group also said that if carriers are found to have violated the law, strict penalties must follow.
"If unauthorized use or illegal provision of personal data is confirmed, the relevant authorities should impose necessary sanctions — including fines, administrative penalties and corrective orders — in accordance with the law, and conduct criminal investigations to hold those responsible accountable," the association added.
sjpark@heraldcorp.com
