South Korea creates new legal pathway for personal-data use in AI development
( August 20, 2026, 08:47 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: South Korea’s National Assembly on Thursday passed an amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act allowing lawfully collected personal data to be used for artificial intelligence development in limited circumstances where pseudonymized or anonymized data are insufficient and the project is deemed to serve a public or social need. Such use will require review and approval by the Personal Information Protection Commission and enhanced safeguards, including prior risk assessments and mitigation measures for processing that poses greater risks to individuals’ rights and interests. The amendment also provides for streamlined review of AI technologies or services that are substantially identical or similar to previously approved cases, and will take effect six months after promulgation.Statement is attached (in Korean)....
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