In fiscal 2023, personal data leaks in Japan surged by 70% to a record 13,279 cases, according to a draft annual report by a government panel. This sharp increase highlights the poor data management practices in both the public and private sectors.
The private sector reported 12,120 data leaks, up 58% from the previous year, while the public sector reported 1,159 cases, a tenfold increase from the prior year. Most cases affected less than 1,000 individuals and were attributed to human errors like misdelivery and improper document disposal.
Notable incidents included online data leaks involving companies like Toyota Motor Corp and the Line messaging app operator. The report also emphasized the need for improved risk management in the country’s personal information system, citing cases like the Digital Agency mistakenly registering IDs in the national identification system.
As generative artificial intelligence services grow, the report stressed the importance of preventing nonconsensual collection of sensitive data like medical histories. The report is set for official release after cabinet approval in early June.
© KYODO