The first class-action damages suit filed by victims of the Duo matchmaking company's personal data leak has been sent to court mediation. The number of victims who have sued Duo has already surpassed 1,000.
On the 16th, according to legal sources, the Seoul Central District Court the day before referred to mediation a class-action damages suit filed by 46 victims of the Duo personal data leak. The court determined it would be preferable for Duo and the victims to seek common ground through mediation rather than continue with a trial.
Civil mediation is a process that temporarily pauses full trial proceedings while a mediation judge or committee hears both sides and recommends a settlement. If mediation is reached, it has the same effect as a final judgment, but if no agreement is made or a party objects, the case returns to trial.
Mediation has the advantage of resolving disputes relatively quickly and at lower expense. According to the 2025 Judicial Yearbook, most mediation cases are handled within six months.
Duo and the victims are reportedly reviewing whether to participate in the mediation process.
The variable is the size of the lawsuit. The case sent to mediation this time is the first damages suit filed by victims of the Duo personal data leak.
Then, 455 people filed suit on the 14th of last month, and 571 more the day before, bringing the total number of victims who have sued Duo to 1,072 so far. The number of victims expressing intent to join the suit is also continuing to grow.
The victims say the information leaked from Duo is highly sensitive personal data and are seeking 1 million won per person in damages. The leaked information reportedly includes not only basic details such as names but also addresses and workplaces of parents, marital history, reasons for divorce, and the names of former spouses—information closely tied to private life.
Earlier, in Apr., the Personal Information Protection Commission imposed a 1.197 billion won penalty surcharge and 13.2 million won in fines on Duo, saying it had neglected its obligation to take safety measures to protect personal data. The Personal Information Protection Commission said a total of 427,464 people were affected by the data leak.
A legal community official said, "Finding common ground early through mediation rather than heading into a prolonged lawsuit could reduce the burden on both sides," but noted, "Because the victims are each seeking 1 million won, the total compensation could become large, which will weigh on Duo."