Reportedly, Facebook Inc. was fined for 6.7 billion won (US$6 million) by South Koreas Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC)for sharing data of around 3.3 million users for business purposes.
According to the PIPC, Facebook violated South Koreas personal information law by providing peoples personal information to other companies, that too without their consent. In fact, the recent development marked the first lawsuit by the South Korean commission since it was established in August 2020.
PIPC reportedly stated that the shared user database included users names, dates of birth, their addresses, hometowns, work experience, and relationship statuses. However, the commission also claimed that Facebook had not given relevant documents on this case hence, the information on exact amount of data shared is still unclear.
It is to be noted that the South Korean telecommunications regulator, the Korea Communications Commission had previously stated an investigation on Facebook Ireland since it handled South Koreas operations between May 2012 to June 2018. The investigation was then passed on to PIPC, sources claimed.
Reportedly, Facebook didnt cooperate well during the investigation as it submitted false or incomplete documents. The commissioned then fined Facebook with 66 million won for the false documentation.
Facebook Irelands director, who handles privacy could be imprisoned for up to five years or must pay a fine of maximum of 50 million won, if he is convicted for violating the South Korean law. However, the American social media giant was quoted saying that the company has cooperated with the investigation and PIPCs allegations should be must closely reviewed.
Allegedly, Facebook could have provided the user database to around 10,000 other service providers, cited sources with knowledge of the matter. Source credits-
https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/south-korean-fines-facebook-6-1-mn-for-sharing-users-info-without-consent-120112500865_1.html