Coupang Customers File Class Action Lawsuit Seeking 200,000 Won

In response to the recent data breach at Coupang affecting 33.7 million customers, legal action is being taken by affected individuals. The victims of this breach have decided to file a class-action lawsuit against Coupang, seeking compensation of 200,000 won per person. The legal community involved in this case has filed a complaint on behalf of fourteen Coupang users at the Seoul Central District Court, with attorney Kwak Junho from Law Firm Cheong representing the plaintiffs. The decision to file the lawsuit preemptively was made because waiting for confirmation of the full extent of the breach could potentially delay relief for the victims.

The lawsuit argues that the exposure of sensitive personal information such as names, phone numbers, emails, order details, and delivery addresses has significantly increased the risk of privacy violations and potential secondary damages, including risks related to voice phishing. Following this initial lawsuit, it is expected that more legal actions will ensue as various online platforms, including Naver Cafes and KakaoTalk open chat rooms, are actively seeking other victims to join in similar legal actions. Notably, the “Coupang Victims Class Action Cafe” and “Hacking Victims Group” have accumulated over 80,000 and 50,000 members, respectively, and are collaborating with major law firms to coordinate a joint response.

Coupang initially reported on November 18 that approximately 4,500 accounts were affected by the breach. However, it was later confirmed that the personal information of almost 33.7 million accounts was wrongfully exposed, including names, emails, delivery addresses, and order details. Subsequently, on November 25, the police received complaints related to the breach and have since begun an investigation into the matter. Under the revised Personal Information Protection Act, businesses found to have demonstrated gross negligence can face punitive damages of up to five times the actual damages incurred.

The severity of the breach at Coupang has prompted a swift and collective response from the victims, legal representatives, and related online communities. As the investigation continues and more details emerge regarding the full extent of the breach and its impact on customers, the pursuit of justice and compensation remains a top priority for those affected. The legal proceedings and class-action efforts being undertaken by the victims illustrate a concerted effort to hold Coupang accountable for their negligence and the repercussions of the data breach on individual privacy and security.