SK Telecom announced that it would begin providing a service to block SIM (USIM, subscriber identification module) duplication for overseas roaming users starting on the 12th. The upgrade of the SIM protection service was implemented two days earlier than initially announced.
The SIM protection service provides functionality to manage device and SIM information together, preventing others from stealing SIM information to access services on other devices. SK Telecom developed and implemented this feature in cooperation with the Korean National Police Agency in November 2023. The company noted, "It is convenient as it allows users to keep using their existing SIM while providing the same customer information protection effect as a SIM replacement without the cumbersome tasks of backing up data," adding that it is as secure as a SIM replacement.
After confirming that SIM information had been leaked due to a recent hacking attack, SK Telecom has been encouraging enrollment in the SIM protection service. To date, more than 24 million people have signed up for this service, however, customers using overseas roaming were excluded from the target group, which became an issue.
An SK Telecom official stated, "The initial plan was to enable roaming users to access the SIM protection service by the 14th, but we expedited the development to alleviate user concerns as soon as possible," adding, "We have implemented an upgrade that applies solutions to effectively block illegal device changes and suspicious devices overseas."
SK Telecom plans to automatically enroll customers who are overseas travelers or residents abroad and currently not signed up for the SIM protection service into the service sequentially until the 14th. Existing customers will be automatically switched to the upgraded service from the 12th without needing to re-enroll.
Alongside this, SK Telecom will also provide the "SIM rerouting" solution starting today. The company explains that the SIM rerouting solution changes some of the authentication information within the SIM through software, yielding effects equivalent to a SIM replacement.
Efforts are also underway to secure a supply of 5 million SIMs for free replacements this month, with a plan to supply 5.77 million SIMs by June. An SK Telecom representative stated, "With this upgrade of the SIM protection service, we have established measures to prevent cyber intrusion damage for all customers we have continuously supported," adding, "We will exert our utmost effort to swiftly promote SIM replacements and restore customer trust in the future."