South Korea’s e-commerce giant Coupang has confirmed that the personal data of an additional 165,000 users was compromised in the country’s largest-ever hacking, which was reported in November. This latest discovery of cybersecurity disaster brings the total number of affected accounts to approximately 33.8 million, nearly two-thirds of the country’s population.According to a report by news agency Reuters, Coupang Korea announced that the newly-identified victims were not part of a new cyberattack, but were uncovered during an government-led investigation into the massive breach.
What data was leaked in hacking first reported in November
In November, Coupang said that personal information like the names, phone numbers and delivery addresses entered into address books were stolen. The company, however, reiterated that no payment details, login credentials, emails, or order histories were compromised. As a gesture of apology, Coupang plans to issue a 50,000 won (approx. $35) purchase voucher to every affected account holder.Meanwhile, the regulatory crackdown on Coupang, which has included police raids and tax audits, has sparked an aggressive response from Washington. US investors have filed arbitration claims under the KORUS Free Trade Agreement, accusing Seoul of “discriminatory treatment” against an American-listed firm.Meanwhile, as the company cooperates with the probe, its leadership has come under heavy fire. Harold Rogers, the interim American CEO of Coupang’s local unit, was recently summoned for police questioning regarding allegations of evidence tampering. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has called the breach a “wake-up call” for the nation, advocating for the maximum legal penalty, which could cost Coupang over 1 trillion won ($680 million), or 3% of its annual revenue.
