Coupang Says Leaked Customer Data Has Been Deleted After Security Breach

Post by : Saif Nasser

South Korean online retail giant Coupang has said that all customer information leaked during a recent data breach has now been deleted. The company made this statement on Thursday, saying the suspect involved in the incident did not share the data with anyone else.

According to Coupang, a former employee downloaded personal details of about 3,000 customers. The company stressed that this number is small compared to its total customer base of around 33 million people. Coupang said the former employee later deleted the information and did not transfer it to any third party.

Coupang added that it has identified the former employee involved but did not share further details. The company said the individual has admitted to actions related to the breach. Earlier, Coupang’s chief executive officer, Park Dae-jun, publicly apologized for the incident, calling it a serious failure in protecting customer data.

However, South Korea’s science ministry said the investigation is still ongoing. The ministry made it clear that Coupang’s claims have not yet been confirmed by authorities. Officials also criticized the company for releasing information about the case before the investigation was complete.

The science ministry is leading a joint investigation team that includes private-sector experts. The goal is to fully understand how the data was accessed, whether company systems were weak, and if any laws were broken.

This breach is one of the most serious data security incidents in South Korea in recent years. Earlier this month, President Lee Jae Myung called for tougher penalties against Coupang, which is listed in the United States, if the company is found guilty of corporate negligence.

The case has raised public concern about how large technology and retail companies protect personal information. As online shopping continues to grow, customers expect their data to be kept safe. The final findings of the investigation will be closely watched and could lead to stricter rules on data protection in South Korea.