Sasaengs Use New Method To Find Out Idols’ Flight Information

[pearlychoco.livejournal.com]

For celebrities or other known figures, their flight details such as which airline they take or their destination is considered private information. However, sasaengs have found a way to find out their favorite stars’ flight details, and all for less than $30. To test how difficult this would be, a JTBC reporter attempted to find out flight details of a famous idol group who had a performance abroad.

The reporter began by direct messaging a Twitter account which she heard could provide the information. She received the reply, “Flight information is 30,000 won (approximately $26.53). Seat information is 20,000 won (approximately $17.69) per member.” As soon as she sent the money, she received the information. The whole process took less than one hour.

Sources from airlines have speculated that since details including seat information have been released, the people behind these leaks are airlines insiders. A source from Incheon International Airport said, “Since seat information is a target on personal privacy, the airline corporation can’t know anything about it.”

The main issue is that the information leaked can be used for worse purposes. For example, on October 15, Congressman Ahn Kyu Baek of the Democratic Party of Korea was able to obtain flight information on Kim Hyun Mi, the Secretary of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation, before she left the country for Iran for under 50,000 won (approximately $44.21).

Ahn Kyu Baek officially stated, "It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that [because flight details were leaked] not only was private information exposed, but this could also lead to vulnerable exposure against terrorism."

These concerns have lead to criticism that an investigation into leaked flight information is necessary.

Source: Soompi via JTBC

Comments

[miyozari.livejournal.com]

it's pretty much an open secret that some sasaengs work at telecommunication companies, airlines, airports etc. in order to obtain sensitive information of idols.

i'm just wondering whether the twitter account is run by somebody living abroad b/c the answers are in english and the email address is a gmail.com address.

[torontok.livejournal.com]

See the reason shit like this doesn't happen on as large of a scale in other places is because airlines would get sued through the nose if it was found that private information was leaking. Until the airlines start getting fined this shit will go on

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

I mean, we all know some saesangs work at those companies so they can directly get the information...
But then I used to work at a place handling a lot of highly personal infos and people in my family are still working with access to similarly personal infos (especially my father in a phone company, it's tightly controlled) - and activities were monitored so that anything suspicious would be checked. Korea, WTF?????

[kazu-kumaguro.livejournal.com]

they don't take security seriously so they don't put someone to monitor the log I bet

[baekpedaling.livejournal.com]

This isn't brand new info.
Someone awhile ago sent me an anonymous message on my group order ask.fm asking if I wanted sasaeng info and that it would cost.
What I am surprised about is that a lot of these people speak English. Or at least English speaking sasaengs are buying the info from Korean saesangs and selling it again.

[blck-ink.livejournal.com]

it's widely known but everytime i hear about it i'm creeped out! i still don't get why these korean companies didn't investigate this thoroughly before?? does your image not matter anymore?? if they actually do start investigating i hope they'll sanction these crazy ass people cause you don't plah with people's private info like that.

[petecarl.livejournal.com]

i think the problem is that it's not just a few select airlines; it's employees at all of them. plus, it's mostly only fans that know about this, and they aren't leading a boycott of the airlines where they know sasaengs and employees are selling the flight info. this needs to blow up like that airline lady who got upset about the nuts.

[treaclyena.livejournal.com]

because it's good for sales. you have exo on your plane, that's like, what, 9 members already? imagine if at least 10 fangirls buy plane tickets for 1 exo member, that's an extra 90 tickets sold. not to mention if they can't buy a ticket for the same plane, they'll probably buy the plane ticket before so they can be there on the destination's airport to take pics and stuff (esp. fansite masters). it's not bad for business at all.

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

Sources from airlines have speculated that since details including seat information have been released, the people behind these leaks are airlines insiders.

no really bruh

[annayism.livejournal.com]

paying to find out information about someone is just..... ugh

[tree-star123.livejournal.com]

idek why ppl do this..........

[rainstormraider.livejournal.com]

This isn't a new method though? Maybe because the journalist contacting them through Twitter, but since the days of TVXQ being a 5-member group, airline employs have been leaking this info.
I mention TVXQ because my sister, the die-hard Cassie, made us wait three hours at the airport for them! Three hours of my life I will never get back.

[petecarl.livejournal.com]

haha. but did you get to see them? and did your sis pay for that info?

[rainstormraider.livejournal.com]

She was a member of some Cassie group and they paid for the info. In the end apparently there was a weather issue so their flight was delayed and I honestly was about to commit homicide so we left (plus the airport parking fee! Good gods!). Anytime she's mad at me she brings them up because she has yet to let it go. Despite the fact that she worked backstage for some JYJ thing (twice!) in NYC.

[pseudo-shigure.livejournal.com]

i dont understand how this has been going on for years, and not just for airlines, and no one do anything about it. it's fucked up, korea.

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Omggggggggggg

[petecarl.livejournal.com]

Honestly, these companies need to be sued and investigated. The only way hey'll change is if they're forced to. They're not changing right now b/c even though it's messed up, it's not hurting their bottom line.

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

somebody needs to get fired and sent to jail