Is it legal for shops and apps to ask for my alien registration number, and what are my privacy rights?
I keep being asked for my alien registration number everywhere in Korea -- shops, websites, apps, even cafes. Is this legal? What are my data privacy rights as a foreigner, and what can I do if my personal information is misused?
1 Answer
It bugged me too how often the number gets asked. Korea's Personal Information Protection Act does protect you, and your ARC number is 'unique identifying information' that businesses can collect only with your separate consent or where a law specifically requires or permits it, so a cafe or ordinary shop generally shouldn't demand it. You can ask why it's needed and refuse excessive requests, and for banks, telecom, and government there's a legitimate basis. If your information is misused or leaked, report to the KISA privacy center at 118 or the Personal Information Protection Commission. Never share your ARC number or SMS verification codes casually, since they enable identity theft.