Google Exposed Digital Sex Crime Victims' Data in South Korea

South Korea's Korea Communications Standards Commission (KSCC) has called on Google to delete personal data of digital sex crime victims that was inadvertently exposed online. The commission worked with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to request the removal of posts and search results containing sensitive victim information from a research institute's project website affiliated with Harvard Law School in the US.

The exposed details included names, ages, workplaces, schools, and mobile phone numbers of 42 victims, along with the specifics of their offenses. The commission also shared the matter with international organizations such as INHOPE, GOSRN, IIC, NCMEC, and requested their cooperation in handling the situation.

KSCC demanded that both the website and Google delete the relevant posts and search results, emphasizing the need for operators to implement systems to protect sensitive victim data from being shared externally. This move comes as part of efforts by South Korea's government to tackle online sex crimes.