Coupang union warns of job risks amid sweeping data breach probes

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SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - A labor union representing delivery drivers at South Korean e-commerce firm Coupang on Thursday urged the government to conduct what it called a reasonable and fair investigation into the company’s recent personal data breach, warning that an excessive probe could harm workers and small merchants.

In a statement, the union said data breaches have affected many companies, including large corporations, but that it was difficult to find comparable cases in which investigations were as "wide-ranging" and "overlapping" as those currently facing Coupang.

“The company’s wrongdoing must be clearly corrected,” the union said. “But in the process, many workers and small business owners who make a living through Coupang must not be sacrificed.”

The union said a thorough investigation and follow-through on improvements were responsibilities shared by both government authorities and the company. However, it described it as unusual that more than 10 government bodies were simultaneously examining not only the data breach itself but also Coupang’s broader business operations.

While stressing that it had no intention of defending the breach or downplaying responsibility, the union cautioned against sanctions that extend beyond accountability for personal data protection.

It said excessive penalties could disrupt operations, lead to job losses among delivery drivers and logistics center workers, and cut off sales channels for small merchants, threatening the livelihoods of tens of thousands of families.

The union added that workers are already experiencing a decline in delivery volumes and said any investigation or policy discussion should also consider workers’ right to earn a living.

Calling for a careful and balanced approach, the union said the outcome of the probe would affect not only Coupang but also large numbers of frontline workers who depend on the platform.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
Hong Seung-wan 기자 veryhong@ajunews.com

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