KCC audit: Coupang 'kidnapping ad' case reaches deliberation stage
KCC chairman told lawmakers the fact-finding on Coupang's kidnapping ads is complete, as platforms faced calls to bolster user protection.
The chairman of the Korea Communications Commission said the Coupang "kidnapping ad" case has completed fact-finding and is now at the deliberation and resolution stage, speaking at the National Assembly's comprehensive audit of the KCC on October 22, according to digitaltoday.co.kr. Lawmakers at the session pressed domestic and global platforms — including Coupang, Kakao, Google, Apple, Meta and X — to strengthen user protection.
The audit covered a range of concerns tied to the platforms. KakaoTalk Open Chat and the local community app Karrot came up over youth protection, while X was cited for the distribution of illegal information. Google faced questions over delays in removing illegal content and over in-app payments, and Apple was mentioned in connection with in-app payment enforcement. Meta was questioned over harmful content for young users.
Earlier in-app payment timetable
The in-app payment questions follow the KCC's statement on October 12, during the same parliamentary audit, that it expected to decide within October on sanctions related to Google and Apple's in-app payment enforcement.
On Coupang, the KCC had already completed a fact-finding investigation into alleged violations under the Telecommunications Business Act over the "kidnapping ads" and moved to the deliberation and resolution stage before the October 22 session.
Quick answers
What did the KCC chairman say about Coupang's 'kidnapping ads'?
He said fact-finding on the case is complete and it is now at the deliberation and resolution stage.
When will the KCC decide on Google and Apple in-app payment sanctions?
On October 12, during the parliamentary audit, the KCC said it expected to decide within October.