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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Kakao has sparked user backlash after announcing plans to effectively mandate the collection of users’ service usage records and behavior patterns starting February 2026. Concerns are rising amid recent major privacy breaches at large platforms, as Kakao moves to broaden its data collection scope.
On the 19th, Kakao unveiled revised terms of service stating that the company will collect user activity and behavior data across a wide range of internet and mobile services, including social networking, forums, online content platforms, and location-based services. This includes not only core services like KakaoTalk profiles but also Open Chat, short-form content, and Kakao Map.
Kakao said it will analyze and summarize the collected data to provide personalized content recommendations and targeted advertising. Content generated by AI will also be provided with prior notice.
Users expressed concerns that the move amounts to forced data collection, as those who do not agree to the revised terms will be unable to use KakaoTalk. Selective refusal (opt-out) of the newly added data collection items is not permitted. The terms also include a clause that silence after a certain period will be considered as consent. Kakao stated that if users do not express refusal within seven days after the revised terms take effect, they will be deemed to have agreed, and refusal would result in termination of the service contract. The new terms will come into effect on February 4, 2026.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
