Republic of Korea: Personal Information Protection Commission announced investigation into smart car manufacturers to assess compliance with Personal Information Protection Act

On 7 March 2025, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced an investigation into smart car manufacturers, including Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and BYD, to assess compliance with South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act. This inspection forms part of a broader review of the smart vehicle sector initiated in the previous year. In response to public concerns about the handling of personal data, the PIPC contacted BYD Korea, which reported that it had already begun revising its privacy policy and user manual. BYD Korea also stated its intention to fully comply with domestic legal requirements before launching its vehicles in the South Korean market.