Seoul: Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong stated on Friday that Google must assume responsibility for any legal violations related to an alleged leak of personal data belonging to victims of digital sex crimes. The personal information was previously exposed through a foreign research project website affiliated with Google and was removed only after government intervention.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the leaked data included sensitive personal details of victims who had sought the removal of illegally filmed videos. Minister Won emphasized during a press briefing that as a globally influential platform, Google has a significant obligation to protect and responsibly manage such sensitive information. She asserted that if any legal breaches are identified, Google must be held accountable.

Minister Won stressed that the issue should not be dismissed as a mere system error or oversight. She urged Google to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and to adopt a responsible stance toward both the victims and the general public. The Ministry of Gender Equality is collaborating with the Korea Media and Communications Commission to investigate potential legal violations, including breaches of the sexual violence punishment law.

In response to the incident, Google has issued an apology, stating that they instructed the website operator to remove the exposed information immediately upon notification. The company has also committed to not sharing any deletion requests from South Korea with external parties as part of their corrective measures, as reported by Minister Won.