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Release of Personal Information to Third Parties [2006] KRNHRC 11 (1 January 2006)

Student "Park" filed a complaint with the Commission contending that, since 1999, "B"
University had issued student identification cards in the form of a multi-functional card
in partnership with "D" Bank, and required all university freshmen to submit bank
account application forms to receive student ID cards. Personal information of students
that refused to open bank accounts was then provided to "D" Bank, violating the
student's privacy right.

The university argued that if students did not want to open bank accounts, it issued
student ID cards without banking functions. However, after investigation, the
Commission found that the claim by the complainant was true. The Commission
concluded that school authorities had violated the students' right of privacy and control
of personal information, and recommended that the president of the university
1) officially inform students of the facts and clearly inform students that opening a bank
account is not mandatory to receive student ID cards;
2) issue student ID cards without providing personal information to the bank, if a student
does not wish to open an account;
3) fully inform students if their cards are changed to smart cards in the future, and seek
consent in submitting students' private information to third party institutions.
If a student does not consent to this, the Commission recommended that the university
prepare separate student ID cards and issuance procedures.