Archive · 30 Jul 2026
KT Corp. Fined $37.4M for Illegal Base Station Leak
KT Corp., a big South Korean phone company, was fined about $37 million because some bad guys used hidden small cell towers to steal phone numbers and device IDs.
These towers were not allowed to be on KT’s network.
The hackers used the stolen data to make fake payments, costing people a total of 240 million won.
KT’s privacy watchdog said the company didn’t notice the break‑in until a customer complained.
KT’s boss, Kim Young‑shub, said the company has fixed the problems and will stop illegal towers from connecting.
South Korea’s privacy watchdog fined KT Corp. 53.9 billion won ($37.4 million) for a data breach affecting 16,647 users.
The breach involved unauthorized femtocells that accessed phone numbers and device IDs between Oct 8 2024 and Sept 5 2025.
Hackers used the data to conduct unauthorized transactions, causing 240 million won in losses for 368 victims.
KT ordered to strengthen wireless network security and personal information protection measures.
CEO Kim Young‑shub acknowledged poor femtocell management and said the company has taken steps to prevent illegal femtocells from connecting.
- Who
- KT Corp. and its CEO Kim Young‑shub
- What
- fined for a data breach caused by illegal femtocells
- When
- Thursday, 2025
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea
- Why
- unauthorized base stations accessed personal data, enabling fraudulent transactions
- Fine amount
- 53.9 billion won ($37.4 million)
- Users affected
- 16,647
- Victims
- 368
- Total loss
- 240 million won
- Breach period
- Oct 8 2024 – Sept 5 2025