Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
SK Telecom introduces USIM format solution amid data leak incident
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won bows in apology for SK Telecom's latest customer data leak, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps-Yonhap
By Lee Min-hyung
Mobile carrier replaces more than 1.4 million USIM cards following malware attack
SK Telecom has decided to introduce a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) format solution that is equivalent — in terms of security — to replacing users' USIM chips, in a move to alleviate public concerns following a major data leak, the company said Sunday.
Starting Monday, the nation’s largest telecom operator will initiate the service for its customers to speed up crisis management following the massive data leak last month.
The solution updates user identification information from USIM chips, thereby blocking hacking threats from leaked USIM information, according to the company. The service ensures a high level of security, equivalent to replacing USIM cards, it said.
The decision came amid continued public criticism of SK Telecom after its customer USIM data was leaked in a malware attack. The company has yet to confirm any specific compensation plans for its customers.
“The solution prevents any potential hacking threat from leaked customer USIM data,” an official from SK Telecom said.
Unlike USIM chip replacement, with the new solution, customers will not have to reset authentication for financial services on their mobile apps.
Those who want to install the solution need to visit one of SK Telecom’s T world stores nationwide. Any customers who still hope to change their USIM cards can also receive the free USIM replacement service there, according to SK Telecom.
The latest leak sparked calls for the firm to lift penalties charged to subscribers when they change mobile carriers.
The company argues it may have to incur a loss of up to 7 trillion won ($5 billion) over the next three years if the government orders the firm to suspend carrier change surcharges.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is expected to make its decision sometime around the end of June.
Last week, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won apologized for the data breach and pledged to set up a special information protection committee.
The information protection innovation committee will be supervised by SK SUPEX Council, the group’s highest advisory body.
Members of the committee will consist of external security experts, scholars and judicial officers, with the goal of building a stronger security management system.
“We need to make group-wide efforts to prevent the recurrence of such accidents,” Chey said last week. “Toward this end, SK Group will inspect security systems for all of its affiliates and expand investment for security.”
SK Telecom reported the hacking incident on April 22 and has since replaced 1.43 million USIM cards.
The company plans to supply a total of 5 million USIM chips to its T world stores by the end of this month. It will also secure 5.77 million more USIM cards next month.
SK Telecom said it will operate a free USIM replacement service and the USIM format service at the same time for a swifter resolution of the problem.