CJ Group employees fear sexual exploitation after personal data leak to Telegram

CJ Group is grappling with a significant data breach that has left over 330 female employees distressed and fearful. Personal information, including profile photos and work details, was leaked onto a Telegram channel, sparking concerns about sexual exploitation and malicious archiving.

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The photos selected seem to be ones where the face and full body are clearly visible. Many people had dozens of photos leaked, and there are many concerns about deepfake videos being created.

Victims described the profound shock and fear upon discovering their information, including multiple photos and work-related details, disseminated online. "The photos selected seem to be ones where the face and full body are clearly visible," one victim stated, expressing worries about the potential creation of deepfake videos. Another victim highlighted the targeted nature of the leak, focusing on women in their 20s and 30s with clear photos, intensifying fears of sexual exploitation.

The leak, which included details like job location, working hours, and job titles, points to a potential insider threat, as much of the information was accessible through the company's intranet. The Telegram channel, which has since been closed, reportedly saw its ownership traded multiple times via cryptocurrency. Victims suspect the perpetrator may have been monitoring internal systems for as long as four to five years.

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The fact that the victims are concentrated among women in their 20s and 30s and that only photos with clear faces were collected makes the possibility of sexual exploitation the most frightening.

Beyond the immediate fear of exploitation, victims are struggling with the impact on their daily lives. One employee shared the torment of having her workplace identified, leading to anxiety about how customers perceive her. Another described feeling like a "product on display in a shop window," while a third expressed difficulty using communication apps like KakaoTalk due to trauma.

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The store name is written, and since the workplace is identified, it is agonizing to imagine how the countless customers I meet every day will look at me.

CJ Group has stated that it is focusing on closing the channel and reporting the suspect to the police. The company plans to offer support programs, including legal aid, psychological counseling, and assistance with changing phone numbers or SIM cards. An internal employee has been identified as a suspect, and related materials have been handed over to the police.

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I felt like a product on display in a shop window, and it was terrifying.