(LEAD) Gender minister says Google must take responsibility for any legal violations over data leak

Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong stated on Friday that Google must assume responsibility for any legal breaches linked to an alleged data leak involving victims of digital sex crimes. The victims' personal information was inadvertently exposed on a foreign research project website that collaborated with Google, and the data was removed after government intervention. The compromised data comprised the names and contact details of victims who had requested Google to eliminate illegally recorded videos.

Google, a globally influential platform, bears a greater responsibility to safeguard and handle sensitive victim information appropriately, emphasized Won during a press conference. Any legal violations found must be addressed with Google facing legal consequences. This matter should not be dismissed lightly as merely a technical glitch or oversight.

Google must acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and demonstrate responsibility towards both the victims and the public. Her ministry is collaborating with the Korea Media and Communications Commission to investigate any legal violations, encompassing violations of the sexual violence punishment law. Google has expressed regret over the leak, stating they asked the operator to delete the information promptly upon learning of it. The company attributed the incident to technical errors, according to the ministry.

Won assured the government will assess whether Google implements proper follow-up measures to prevent similar occurrences, noting the company's pledge not to share South Korean deletion requests with external entities. The ministry is also exploring the possibility of similar incidents occurring on other online platforms. The Personal Information Protection Commission has initiated an investigation into the data leak.