Authorities in South Korea have uncovered a massive breach affecting over 1,20,000 IP cameras installed in homes and businesses. Hackers exploited weak security in affordable IP cameras, including default or easy-to-guess passwords, to create and sell sexually exploitative videos online.
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the breach. One individual reportedly hacked 63,000 cameras, producing 545 videos sold for around 35 million won (approximately Rs 21 lakh), while another hacked 70,000 cameras, selling 648 videos for 18 million won (around Rs 10.8 lakh). Together, these two were responsible for about 62 percent of the sexually exploitative content posted on one website in the past year.
Park Woo-hyun, cyber investigation chief at the National Police Agency, said such crimes inflict immense suffering on victims and are being rigorously investigated. The NPA has reached out to victims at 58 locations to assist with changing passwords and removing stolen content online.
The hacked cameras were found in private rooms, karaoke venues, Pilates studios, and even a gynecologist’s clinic. Authorities have warned all IP camera users to regularly update passwords and strengthen security to prevent further exploitation.
The incident comes shortly after a separate cyberattack exposed the personal data of over 33 million customers of South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang, marking one of the country’s largest breaches in over a decade.
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