Korea’s top privacy regulator, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), discussed the collection of Korean user data by ChatGPT with representatives from U.S. companies in Korea, Tuesday. At the meeting, held at Grand Hyatt Seoul, PIPC Chairman Ko Hak-soo told attendees that his office is currently assessing how data provided by Korean users is being used by ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that has attracted global attention.
The PIPC chief assured attendees that he does not intend to launch an investigation at this time, but that the Commission is closely monitoring the handling of Korean user data within ChatGPT’s AI model building. He further shared that the Korean government has been in contact with OpenAI, the developer of the chatbot, which revealed that over 2.2 million Korean users were currently using it.
To help U.S. firms understand and abide by Korean privacy laws, Ko discussed the recent revisions the Personal Information Protection Act. Major changes he reported included the improvement of personal data processing practices, the right to transfer any personal information held, an increase in the maximum penalties to 3 percent of a company’s revenue, the introduction of a new standard for mobile video devices, and a stringent data protection requirement for both online and offline activities.
To demonstrate the PIPC’s efforts in enforcing data privacy in recent years, Ko mentioned the accountability of Google and Meta Platforms in 2022, with a combined fine of 100 billion won ($76 million). This had followed the hefty fines imposed on the two U.S. companies in September of 2020, totalling 69.2 billion won and 30.8 billion won, respectively, for their unauthorized collection and use of personal user data.
Talking about the U.S. companies, the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) consists of a wide range of members from the American business community in Korea from different industries, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, and IT. AMCHAM Chairman James Kim was present at the meeting and committed to continue facilitating conversations between the U.S. and South Korean business sector. Moreover, the organization endeavours to create a pleasant working atmosphere for all its members by establishing guidelines for doing business in Korea, and providing invaluable information about industry news and other important trade events.
Regarding the person mentioned in the article, Ko Hak-soo is the current Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC). He has held this position since 2017, where he works on establishing and enforcing the Korean Personal Information Protection Act. Throughout his term, he has brought the issue of data privacy to the forefront and has actively strived to ensure a safe atmosphere for Korean users. Other notable achievements include the successful handling of both minor and major cases of data infringement, such as the fine against Google and Meta Platforms.
