Policy Direction for Safe Usage of Personal Data in the Age of A.I.
The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) of South Korea announced its first AI-specific policy guidance titled "Policy Direction for Safe Usage of Personal Data in the Age of A.I." The policy outlines a principle-based regulatory approach, specific safeguards across different stages of AI development and deployment, plans for further domain-specific guidelines, and a commitment to international cooperation. It aims to foster safe data usage and minimize privacy risks while supporting AI innovation and growth.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
AI developers, deployers, and researchers looking to understand South Korea's data privacy compliance requirements and oversight mechanisms for artificial intelligence.
What the document contains
The policy covers personal data processing standards, safeguard requirements, and regulatory approaches for artificial intelligence across its development and deployment stages, including legal interpretations, pseudonymized data usage, transparency, and international coordination.
It does not provide final detailed domain-specific standards or complete regulatory frameworks, as those are scheduled for publication in subsequent guidelines and advisory council processes.
- The PIPC adopted a principle-based regulatory approach instead of a prescriptive rule-based approach to address rapid AI advancements.
- An AI Privacy Team is established to clarify legal interpretations, review regulatory sandboxes, and conduct prior adequacy assessments.
- Safeguards are organized into four stages: design and planning, data collection, model building and training, and provision of AI services.
- The policy clarifies that properly pseudonymized personal data can be used for scientific research without separate user consent under specific safeguards.
- The PIPC plans to establish a Policy Advisory Council for AI Privacy and develop further domain-specific guidelines and risk-assessment matrices.
· 1. A new approach to mitigate legal and regulatory uncertainties · 2. Specific safeguards for different stages of development and deployment of AI services and products · 3. Plan to publish further guidelines for more specified needs · 4. International coordination and collaboration
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
2/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
AI Policy also recommends creating a structure within organizations to facilitate communication and coordination between data privacy officers and developers
Stage 1. Design and planning: Principle of privacy by design (PbD) to minimize risks
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
0/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
0/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
0/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
5/5Protection of personal data and private life
While expectations are high for the opportunities AI will bring, concerns are also raised about the challenges that come with AI, particularly in relation to privacy and data protection.
Contents Press Release
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
4/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
In the deployment stage, where an AI model is provided to end users, it is important to implement and maintain transparency, and ensure the rights of data subjects
Stage 4. Provision of AI Services: Transparency and rights of data subjects
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
4/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
After a tentative approval by the PIPC, the business has to implement the safeguard measures as it develops and deploys its AI services. The PIPC will follow up with a review of the implementation status to see whether the company meets all statutory requirements
Section 1. A new approach to mitigate legal and regulatory uncertainties
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
4/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
The PIPC will also prepare a matrix for assessing the risks of AI systems, and use the results of the risk assessment to develop a tiered regulatory framework
Section 3. Plan to publish further guidelines for more specified needs
screening score · 2026-10-23