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SK Telecom Faces USIM Shortages as Free Replacement Program Launches After Data Breach

Over 200,000 users replaced their USIM cards on the first day, while millions more face delays due to limited inventory and high demand.

The logo of SK Telecom is pictured at the GSMA's 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 28, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo
South Korea's largest carrier SK Telecom started on Monday to replace mobile SIM chips for its 23 million users following a data breach
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Overview

  • SK Telecom began offering free USIM card replacements on April 28 following a cyberattack that compromised customer data, but severe shortages have left many waiting.
  • The company has secured only 1 million USIM cards, far below the 23 million needed, and plans to procure an additional 5 million by the end of May.
  • As of April 28, 230,000 users had replaced their USIM cards, and 2.63 million had made reservations, with long queues reported at over 2,600 stores nationwide.
  • The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has launched a forensic investigation into the breach, which could take months or longer, while SK Telecom faces scrutiny over its delayed response.
  • Consumer anxiety has led to organized petitions, calls for compensation, and increased enrollment in the company's USIM Protection Service, which now has over 5.5 million subscribers.