'Modu-ui Startup' to Overhaul Privacy Policy Following Data Leak Concerns

The personal information policy of 'Modu-ui Startup,' which previously faced issues regarding the leakage of participants' personal data and startup ideas, will be completely overhauled this month.

The move is intended to align the platform's personal information processing policy with the Personal Information Protection Act and to prevent the recurrence of privacy infringements or data leaks.

According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and other sources on July 5, the ministry and the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) have begun discussions with private security firms to restructure the Modu-ui Startup privacy policy by the end of this month.

The primary focus of this overhaul is the personal information collection process.

Currently, when users sign up for Modu-ui Startup using social login methods such as Kakao or Naver, clicking "Agree to Collection and Use of Personal Information" results in the simultaneous collection of various data points, including nicknames, profile photos, mobile phone numbers, dates of birth, and gender.

The plan is to divide the collection process into stages, where only the necessary information is collected at each step with the explicit consent of the data subject.

In short, while the platform currently collects a bulk of information, including data not immediately required, it intends to break down the process to collect and process only the necessary items when needed.

Specific adjustments are also being discussed regarding the retention period and the scope of collected items, which have been criticized for being longer and broader than standard practices.

Currently, the retention period for personal information on Modu-ui Startup is "five years after account withdrawal."

These measures appear to be in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act, which stipulates that the purpose of processing personal information must be clear and that only the minimum amount of information necessary for that purpose should be collected.

Furthermore, the MSS and related agencies have decided to create a new dedicated page for the Modu-ui Startup privacy policy.

Currently, there is no separate page; instead, the policy is buried within various general policies handled by KISED, and information regarding collected items and third-party processors is scattered, making it difficult for users to fully understand their rights.

A KISED official stated, "We are shaping the direction of the overhaul based on the opinions provided by the external security firm in charge of the consulting."

The MSS also confirmed that it is currently discussing the restructuring plans.

(Photo: Screenshots from Modu-ui Startup YouTube, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.