(LEAD) gender minister-Google

▲ Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong speaks during a briefing on a data leak of digital sex crime victims at the government complex in central Seoul on Sept. 11, 2026. (Yonhap)

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SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong said Friday that Google must take responsibility if any legal violations are found over an alleged leak of personal data of digital sex crime victims.

The victims' information was found to have been exposed late last month on a foreign research project website collaborating with Google and taken down only after the government demanded it be removed.

The information included the names and contact details of victims who had requested Google to remove illegally filmed videos.

"A platform with significant influence globally, like Google, has an even heavier responsibility to protect and safely deal with sensitive information of victims," Won said during a press briefing. "If any legal violations are found, Google must take legal responsibility.

"This issue should not be passed over lightly as a simple system error or mistake. Google must take the gravity of the issue seriously and take a responsible stance in front of the victims and the public."

Won said her ministry is working with the Korea Media and Communications Commission to check for any legal violations, including of the sexual violence punishment law.

Google has apologized over the leak, saying it asked the operator to delete the information as soon as it was brought to their attention. The tech giant has blamed technical errors for the incident, according to the ministry.

Won said the government will check whether Google takes proper follow-up prevention measures, noting the company has pledged not to share any deletion requests from South Korea with outside parties.

The ministry is also looking into whether similar incidents could happen on other online platforms.

The Personal Information Protection Commission said it has launched an investigation into the leak.

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