Korean Media: Facebook was charged and fined for using user information without authorization in South Korea
According to a report by Yonhap News Agency on November 25, the “Personal Information Protection Committee”, the central administrative organ in charge of personal information protection policy in South Korea, fined Facebook 6.7 billion won (about $50m) for using user information without authorization on the 25th, and investigated him. The organ filed a criminal charge.
According to the report, this is the first ticket issued by the Personal Information Protection Commission since its establishment in August this year, and the first time that overseas companies have been accused of violations.
The committee said that after investigation, Facebook provided personal information to other units without the consent of users from May 2012 to June 2018, including education and experience, place of birth, relatives, marriage information and personal hobbies.
At least 3.3 million of the 18 million Facebook users in China have used their information without authorization. The Committee also noted that Facebook deliberately submitted false or incomplete information to hinder the investigation.
The report mentioned that Facebook regretted the above punishment, saying that the company actively cooperated with all investigations and would discuss the committee’s disposal decision.
