The South Korean Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has initiated an investigation into Google regarding a potential data leak of victims of digital sex crimes.

The investigation follows media reports indicating that content removal requests submitted to Google were published on an external website. The PIPC has demanded that Google provide documents to verify the extent, nature of the sensitive personal information transmitted to the third-party site operator, and the period of this communication. The authority will carefully examine the circumstances of the incident, whether it is a continuous practice, human error, or technical failure. The investigation will also focus on compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act, notably the existence of a legal basis for processing and adherence to consent procedures. Given the seriousness of the situation and the risk of secondary harm to victims, the PIPC plans to require immediate corrective measures if urgent removal or blocking actions prove necessary.