Massive Data Breach Exposes Millions of Coupang Customer Accounts in South Korea

Coupang, South Korea’s largest online retailer and often referred to as the ‘Amazon of South Korea’, has apologized after a significant data breach potentially affecting nearly 34 million local customer accounts. The breach, discovered on November 18, involved unauthorized access to personal data from around 4,500 accounts. However, further investigations revealed that approximately 33.7 million accounts may have been exposed, including details such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, shipping addresses, and some order histories. Importantly, no credit card or login information was compromised. The breach, which began as early as June, appears to have stemmed from a server located overseas. This incident is part of a broader pattern of data leaks in South Korea, with other major companies such as SK Telecom and Lotte Card also reporting breaches in recent months. The South Korean government is investigating the breach and considering potential sanctions against Coupang for failing to adequately secure customer data. Local media outlets have condemned the breach, with some labeling it as the worst data leak in Korean history. Despite the company’s efforts to reassure users, concerns over data protection continue to grow in the country.