"Trade Used Phones Safely" Government to Operate Used Phone Business Certification and Transaction Confirmation Service

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 27th that it will operate the 'Used Phone Safe Transaction Business Certification System' and the 'Used Phone Transaction Confirmation Service System' from the 28th to enhance user trust in the used phone market and revitalize the used phone market.
The Used Phone Safe Transaction Business Certification System is a system that certifies used phone distribution businesses that meet certain certification standards, such as user protection requirements, as 'safe transaction businesses'. It was introduced to solve the problem of consumers hesitating to trade used phones due to concerns about personal information leakage and confusion over appropriate prices. The certification standards consist of basic requirements for user protection, such as preparing personal information deletion procedures and providing purchase price information by device grade. The Ministry of Science and ICT designates the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT) as the certification body, and KAIT issues certificates to businesses deemed to meet the certification standards through document review and on-site inspection.
Businesses wishing to receive certification can apply through the used device safe transaction website, and any business that purchases or sells used phones from individuals can apply for certification. Information on certified businesses can be found on the used device safe transaction website.
The Used Phone Transaction Confirmation Service is a service that issues a 'Transaction Confirmation Certificate' to prevent ownership disputes that may occur between used phone sellers and buyers. If a seller maliciously reports a used phone as lost or stolen to the telecom company after the transaction to receive insurance money, the buyer would not be able to use the used phone normally and would have to respond with a civil lawsuit. However, if the Transaction Confirmation Certificate is obtained in advance, even if the used phone is blocked due to an unfair loss or theft report, the buyer can request the unblocking through KAIT to use the used phone normally.
The Transaction Confirmation Certificate can also be applied for and issued through the used device safe transaction website. The applicant can check whether the traded used phone is lost or stolen, confirm that there are no issues, and then input the used phone transaction information (device unique identification number (IMEI), model name, transaction date, transaction amount, etc.). After verifying the identities of the seller and buyer, the Transaction Confirmation Certificate can be issued immediately.
Lee Do-kyu, Director of Communication Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "If the used phone market is revitalized, consumers who feel burdened by the high price of smartphones can expand their device choices," adding, "In particular, it is expected to provide practical help to savvy consumers who want to reduce communication costs by combining used phones with affordable phone plans."

solidkjy@fnnews.com Koo Ja-yoon Reporter