Coupang Insider Data Breach and Evidence Destruction Attempt

South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang suffered a major data breach after a former employee stole a security key and accessed the personal information of approximately 33.7 million customers. The perpetrator used both a PC and a MacBook Air to access customer records, including order histories and building access codes, and later attempted to destroy evidence by smashing the MacBook and throwing it into a river. Despite these efforts, investigators recovered the device and linked it to the accused through its serial number. Coupang worked with forensic experts and law enforcement to investigate the breach, and the company has faced criticism over its handling of the incident and the adequacy of its response.

In response to the breach, Coupang announced a compensation plan totaling 1.69 trillion won (about $1.17 billion), offering purchase vouchers to affected customers, including those who closed their accounts after the incident. The company publicly acknowledged its responsibility and expressed regret for the distress caused, while also defending its cooperation with authorities and the thoroughness of its investigation. The compensation scheme, however, has drawn criticism for being limited to Coupang's own services, with some officials accusing the company of leveraging the crisis for business gain. The incident has led to executive changes within Coupang and increased scrutiny from government agencies and the public.