LG U+ admits leak of customers’ personal info due to hacking

LG Uplus, the South Korean mobile network operator owned by LG Corporation, admitted that some personal information of its customers might have been leaked. The company made the admission after revealing on Tuesday, Jan. 10, that a number of data were hacked and 180,000 customers are affected.

According to Korea Joongang Daily, LG Uplus also confirmed that the police are already looking into the incident. The investigation is now ongoing after the immediate launch of the probe.

“We acknowledged that some customers’ personal information has been leaked,” LG Uplus’ message that was posted on its website reads. “Please note that the information could be used inappropriately.”

The mobile network operator further explained that the leaked personal data of 180,000 people include their names, phone numbers, and date of birth. As the customers started to panic, the company tried to calm them down by stressing that banking details related to payments were not part of the leak.

In any case, it was said that prior to the posting of the notice on its website, LG Uplus actually acknowledged the hacking already. As early as Jan. 1, the company revealed the case after it placed a request for an investigation a day after the discovery of the leaks. It has explained that it had to postpone the public announcement as it needed to confirm first if the customers’ data were indeed brought out to the open.

As per Yonhap News Agency, while LG Uplus confirmed the hacking case, it did not release information about the cause of the data breach. The company did not disclose further details about the incident as, well.

Meanwhile, LG Uplus said that it would be sending out notifications to all customers who were affected by the hacking. They will receive an email or text message from the company once they are confirmed to be one of the affected. Customers may also check LG Uplus’ website to see if their data was stolen.

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