Coupang Breach: Ex-Employee Accessed 33 Million Accounts, But Only Saved Data From 3,000

Was your Coupang account one of 33 million accessed? The South Korean e-commerce giant has confirmed a massive data breach perpetrated by a former employee, but claims the real damage is far smaller. Coupang announced on Thursday it has recovered all leaked personal information involving approximately 3,000 customers, adding that no data was transferred outside the company.

The Scope of the Breach

According to a press release from Coupang, the former employee used stolen security keys to access basic customer information. The accessed data included customers' names, email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses. The company stressed that no sensitive information, such as payment details, login credentials, or customs clearance numbers, was part of the breach. An internal investigation found no evidence that any data was shared, and Coupang says it has secured all devices used to store the information, including a hard drive.

Government Scrutiny and Fallout

Despite Coupang's assurances, the incident has triggered a swift government response. According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's presidential office is set to hold an emergency meeting, and the government has launched a task force to probe the breach. The event puts a harsh spotlight on the internal security measures at major tech platforms that handle vast quantities of user data.