Long-Running Data Transparency Dispute Between Google and Korean Activists Ends in Settlement (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, June 11 (Korea Bizwire) — A long-running legal battle between South Korean human rights activists and Google over personal data transparency has come to an end after 11 years, with both parties agreeing to a court-proposed settlement.
Under the terms of the agreement, Google will provide South Korean users with improved access to their personal data-sharing records — including the development of a Korean-language webform for data access requests — while maintaining compliance with U.S. laws that restrict certain disclosures.
The lawsuit dates back to 2014, following revelations by former CIA contractor Edward Snowden that U.S. intelligence agencies had engaged in large-scale surveillance involving private user data. In the wake of the disclosures, a group of South Korean activists sued Google, demanding to know whether their personal information had been shared with third parties, including U.S. intelligence agencies.
After a protracted legal process, the Seoul High Court initiated a mediation process that concluded on June 2, leading to a mutually agreed settlement. The settlement carries the same legal weight as a final court ruling.
Previously, an appellate court had ruled that Google and its Korean subsidiary were obligated to disclose third-party data sharing records, excluding those protected under confidentiality laws. However, the Supreme Court overturned part of that decision in 2023, ordering a re-evaluation of which non-disclosures were justifiable under U.S. law.
According to the civic group Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ), which held a press briefing on Tuesday, Google has now agreed to offer Korean-language support for data access forms and to provide individualized responses to users who inquire about the disclosure of their personal information to government agencies.
Additionally, Google will include a notice on its privacy help center for Korean users, clarifying that certain disclosures are limited under U.S. law.
For the activists involved in the lawsuit, Google will fulfill its obligation to provide access to records indicating whether their personal data was shared with third parties, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision.
“While certain disclosures remain restricted under U.S. law, the settlement represents a significant step toward improving data transparency and user rights for Korean users,” said the CCEJ. “We hope this policy shift will lead to stronger protections for all users in Korea.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
