Daegu Law Firm Assistance Case | With the Daegu Law Firm's Assistance, a Client Charged With Violating the Personal Information Protection Act Received a Light Fine

The client was a university student and a national work-study scholarship student.

The client received complaints about students smoking indoors.

In response, he used the university's internal network to check the students' personal information, then posted it on social media along with photos of the victims smoking indoors.

He also took the personal information of students in his department and posted it on social media with a post suggesting that he would investigate.

In the end, the client, who had leaked the university students' personal information, was charged with violating the Personal Information Protection Act and requested the Daegu law firm's assistance.

The attorney explained 🔗the violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.

A violation of the Personal Information Protection Act is an offense committed when a person, without legitimate authority or in excess of permitted authority, damages, destroys, alters, forges, or leaks another person's personal information.

※ Article 2 of the 「Personal Information Protection Act」 Subparagraph 1, information constituting personal information

1. Information that can identify an individual through a name, resident registration number, image, or the like

2. Information that, even if it cannot identify a specific individual on its own, can readily identify the individual when easily combined with other information

3. Information that, through pseudonymization of 1. or 2., cannot identify a specific individual without the use or combination of additional information to restore it to its original state

Under the law, a person who processes or has processed personal information and who, without legitimate authority or in excess of permitted authority, leaks another person's personal information may be punished by imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

*Because the level of punishment may vary depending on an individual's circumstances, for an accurate review please receive a 🔗legal consultation with an attorney.

The client had never committed a crime or been investigated before.

The attorney argued that the client was a first-time offender and a student diligently preparing for employment.

From the investigation stage, the client acknowledged his wrongdoing and showed an active attitude.

The attorney emphasized that the client showed deep remorse for his wrongdoing.

The attorney noted that at the time of the incident the client had no awareness that it was a crime.

The client mistakenly believed that there would be no legal problem if he set a limit on the number of people who could view the social media posts.

He pledged never to reoffend and received reoffending-prevention education related to violations of the Personal Information Protection Act.

The client was charged with violating the Personal Information Protection Act, but with the attorney's help he was able to receive a fine.

Personal information includes not only a resident registration number, address, name, and phone number, but also any information that can identify an individual.

Because of this, you may be charged with violating the Personal Information Protection Act without even knowing it.

At Daeryun, attorneys based throughout every region derive customized solutions for clients through in-person meetings and real-time video conferences.

If you are in a situation similar to the client's, please inquire at any time with a 🔗Daegu attorney.