Massive Personal Data Leak at Coupang Led to Surge in 'Quit Coupang' Consumer Inquiries Last December

[Financial News] An analysis found that consumer counseling related to online subscription services surged in December last year, following a massive personal data leak at Coupang and the shutdown of platforms that brokered sharing of over-the-top media service (OTT) accounts.
The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) and the Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations released on the 28th the results of their analysis of consumer counseling cases received in December last year through the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center.
According to the analysis, counseling related to "internet information use services" showed the largest increase compared with the previous month. The total number of consumer counseling cases in December last year was 58,008, up 12.4% from November. In particular, consultations concerning internet information use services jumped by 83.3%.
KCA stated, "We believe this increase is due to a rise in counseling on cancellations and refunds caused by personal data leaks and the suspension of intermediary services for account sharing in connection with online subscription services."
After it became known in late November last year that a large volume of personal information had been leaked from Coupang, counseling related to canceling its subscription service, the Coupang Wow Membership, appears to have increased. In addition, there were many reported cases of damage on platforms that broker OTT account sharing, which consumers use to access OTT subscription services at lower prices, including situations where contact was cut off and refunds were delayed.
Counseling also increased for the category of "Internet game service" (up 45.6%), mainly concerning restrictions on the use of game accounts and refunds after purchasing in-game items. In the clothing category, consumer inquiries rose for items whose consumption typically grows in winter, such as "coats" (52.8%) and "jumpers and jackets" (40.4%).
The most frequently reported item in December last year was "airline passenger transportation services," with 1,360 cases. It ranked first among high-frequency items for the fourth consecutive month. The agencies noted that year-end travel demand increased, which led to more consumer counseling related to airline ticket cancellation fees and similar issues.
If consumers suffer damage, they can receive assistance by preparing transaction records and supporting documents and then applying for counseling through the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center (dial 1372 without an area code; toll-free) or via Consumer24.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter