SK Telecom (SKT)

SK Telecom (SKT), a major South Korean telecom provider, faced a **data breach** affecting **3,998 subscribers**, whose personal information was compromised. The **Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee** proposed compensating each victim with **300,000 won (~$200)**, but SKT rejected the settlement, citing its existing **proactive compensation measures** and efforts to prevent recurrence. The rejection forces affected subscribers to pursue legal action for damages. The breach exposed customer data, damaging trust and potentially leading to financial or reputational harm. SKT emphasized its commitment to regaining customer confidence and mitigating further risks, though the incident highlights vulnerabilities in its data protection framework. The dispute remains unresolved, with victims left to seek redress through courts.

Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11-20/national/socialAffairs/SKT-rejects-recommended-compensation-of-200-per-user-over-data-breach/2459465

SK Telecom cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/sk-telecom

"id": "SK-4732347112025",
"linkid": "sk-telecom",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "11/2025",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"

{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 3998,
                        'industry': 'Telecommunications',
                        'location': 'South Korea',
                        'name': 'SK Telecom (SKT)',
                        'type': 'Telecommunications Company'}],
 'customer_advisories': 'Subscribers notified of need to pursue legal action '
                        'for compensation',
 'data_breach': {'personally_identifiable_information': True},
 'description': 'SK Telecom (SKT) rejected a proposal from the Personal '
                'Information Dispute Mediation Committee to compensate '
                'subscribers affected by a data breach. The committee had '
                'recommended paying 300,000 won (~$200) to each of the 3,998 '
                'subscribers who filed for mediation. SKT cited its existing '
                'proactive compensation measures and recurrence prevention '
                'efforts as reasons for rejecting the proposal. Affected '
                'subscribers must now pursue legal action for compensation.',
 'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': True,
            'customer_complaints': True,
            'data_compromised': True,
            'legal_liabilities': True},
 'investigation_status': 'Ongoing dispute; affected subscribers may file '
                         'lawsuits',
 'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Proactive compensation '
                                                  'measures and recurrence '
                                                  'prevention efforts'},
 'references': [{'source': 'Korea JoongAng Daily'}],
 'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': 'Potential lawsuits by affected '
                                            'subscribers',
                           'regulatory_notifications': 'Personal Information '
                                                       'Dispute Mediation '
                                                       'Committee involved'},
 'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Public statement rejecting the '
                                        "mediation committee's proposal",
              'remediation_measures': 'Proactive compensation measures and '
                                      'efforts to prevent recurrence'},
 'stakeholder_advisories': 'SKT statement on rejection of mediation proposal',
 'title': 'SK Telecom Data Breach and Compensation Dispute',
 'type': 'Data Breach'}