The three major telecom companies are enhancing their data privacy frameworks in line with their expansion into artificial intelligence (AI) services. They aim to integrate data protection from the planning and development stages of AI services, moving away from a reactive approach to incidents.
On September 28, the CEOs of the telecom companies met with the Personal Information Protection Commission at the Korea Press Center in Seoul to discuss their strategies for data protection and AI response. This was the first official meeting between the commission's chair, Song Kyung-hee, and the CEOs since her appointment.
Jeong Jae-hun, CEO of SK Telecom, stated that the company is establishing a system to manage risks throughout the entire process of AI service development, from planning to launch and operation.
“Once a data breach occurs, it is difficult to fully regain lost trust, no matter how well we respond,” Jeong said. “The best data protection is to prevent risks beforehand.”
SK Telecom plans to invest 700 billion won in data protection over the next five years. All employees will adopt a 'Privacy First' principle, making data protection the starting point for service planning, development, and operation.
The company will also operate a separate governance system for AI, identifying and managing data and AI-related risks at each stage from planning to operation.
KT CEO Park Yoon-young emphasized that the company is restructuring its foundational data protection measures. KT plans to invest 2.2 trillion won over the next five years to fundamentally improve its data protection system, including modernizing its IT infrastructure.
The role of the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) will also be strengthened, with the CEO and board of directors directly overseeing major risks and investment plans.
Park stated, “We will expand the scope of ISMS-P certification to include network and media infrastructure, ensuring data protection is reflected throughout the entire service lifecycle.”
LG Uplus is enhancing its 'Privacy by Design' approach, applying data protection from the design phase of all services. CEO Hong Beom-sik noted that as AI and digital transformation accelerate, data protection has become a corporate responsibility beyond just a technical challenge.
Hong said, “The CEO, all executives, and the CPO will continuously verify and strengthen our proactive protection systems, ensuring we do not just respond to incidents but also secure active investments and expertise.”
LG Uplus plans to incorporate data protection from the design phase of all services, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability while safeguarding user rights in the AI era.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors will also be expanded. The companies plan to share experiences and best practices from the industry to develop standards and systems for a safe AI ecosystem.
Song Kyung-hee, chair of the Personal Information Protection Commission, remarked that the telecom companies' initiatives must translate into real investments and actions to build public trust. She added that the government will support these efforts by providing clear standards and incentives for preventive investments.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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