Coupang Data Leak Compensation 2025: Regulator Demands 'Acceptable' Remedy for 33M Victims

33.7 million users' data is out, but Coupang's proposed 'remedy' looks more like a marketing tactic than a sincere apology. South Korea's data protection regulator has stepped in, demanding that the e-commerce giant offer compensation that victims can actually accept.

According to Yonhap, on December 31, 2025, Song Kyung-hee, head of the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), addressed the issue during a parliamentary hearing. The breach affected roughly two-thirds of the country's population, making it one of the most significant privacy failures in recent history.

The Backlash Against Coupang Data Leak Compensation

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The controversy stems from the specifics of Coupang's plan to offer 50,000 won (approximately US$35) in vouchers to each affected user. Critics pointed out that only 5,000 won can be spent on the main platform, while the remaining 45,000 won must be used on secondary platforms, including a luxury goods site.

Legal Challenges and Monetary Damages

Lawmakers also grilled Coupang executives on the possibility of a collective lawsuit. While South Korean law allows for such suits regarding personal data, Song noted that current regulations don't explicitly address monetary damages in this context. This suggests a need for legislative updates to hold tech giants more accountable for financial losses.