Installation of Surveillance Cameras to Be Restricted
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Public organizations, businesses and individuals will be punished if they use the personal information of their customers or other individuals without consent for purposes other than the pre-specified intention.
Setting up closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) will also be banned in places where they may infringe on privacy, including public baths and changing rooms.
The Cabinet endorsed the revision of the Personal Information Protection Law at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday. Following the passage at the National Assembly, the new rule will take effect as early as the second half of next year.
According to the revision, public offices, financial firms and other private companies should only collect personal information of customers in accordance with the law and get consent from each individual.
If a financial firm is to look up an individual's personal credit information through a credit rating information company, it should get prior approval from the individual.
If private information is leaked, such organizations should report it to the persons in question immediately so that they can request law enforcement authorities and other related agencies to take remedial action to prevent or minimize damage.
As to online identification for Web site membership or other occasions, Internet users will be able to use electronic signature, I-PIN numbers (a personal identification code for online use), or a certificate sent through mobile phones, other than resident registration numbers which are currently used.
The restriction of CCTV installment will be expanded to the private sector to prevent privacy infringement, meaning such surveillance cameras will be banned in places such as public baths, toilets, and dressing rooms.
Those violating the law will face up to five years in jail or a maximum fine of 50 million won.
The government will also set up a committee under the Prime Minister's Office, which will review the laws and systems regarding personal information protection. The Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee under the Korea Information Security Agency will deal with not only disputes between private entities but also disputes involving public organizations.