Google has yet to decide whether to notify victims of a personal data leak related to digital sex crimes.
The incident involves a 'removal request' submitted to Google by victims of digital sex crimes and support organizations, which was leaked to external parties. The leaked documents contained specific personal information, including victims' names, workplaces, contact details, and video links. On August 25, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Korean Women's Human Rights Center discovered that the request had been exposed on external sites.
Following the incident, Google sent an official letter to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, apologizing and assuring that it does not share any removal request materials submitted in South Korea with external parties.
On October 7, according to materials submitted by Google, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the Broadcasting and Communications Commission to Kim Seon-min, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee, Google responded to inquiries about notifying victims and specific action plans by stating, "We are reviewing the possibility of notifying those affected by this matter." However, Google did not provide a timeline or method for such notifications.
According to Yonhap News, the number of victims identified by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family due to the data leak increased from 13 on September 28 to 15 on October 1.
Kim urged Google to disclose a concrete plan for notifying victims, stating, "If the information submitted to delete the harmful videos is leaked again and victims are unaware, they may miss the opportunity to receive necessary protection and support."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.