- SK Telecom offers free SIM replacements to 23M users after a security breach.
- New security measures introduced, including improved fraud detection and SIM protection services.
What happened: SK Telecom offers free SIM replacements
SK Telecom (SKT) has announced free SIM card replacements for 23M users after a hack exposed customer USIM data. CEO Yoo Young-sang announced during a press briefing at the company’s headquarters in Seoul. Starting April 28, SKT will offer replacements for both physical SIM cards and eSIMs to ease customer concerns about security.
This initiative follows earlier efforts by SKT to strengthen security, including the launch of the ‘SIM Protection Service’ and an upgraded Fraud Detection System (FDS) to prevent unauthorised SIM duplication and account takeovers. Customers who were active on the network as of midnight on April 18, 2025, can visit SKT’s T World retail stores or airport roaming centres nationwide to request replacements.
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Why it’s important
The hack that exposed customer data prompted SK Telecom to offer free SIM replacements as a direct response. This step aims to restore customer trust while addressing security concerns. It also forms part of SKT’s layered approach to security, which includes the ‘SIM Protection Service’, designed to provide similar protection to that of a SIM replacement.
SK Telecom has also heightened its fraud detection capabilities to prevent SIM card duplication and improved real-time security monitoring. The free replacement policy extends to customers using Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that depend on SKT’s network. Each MVNO will communicate specific procedures to their customers.
SKT has seen a surge in the adoption of its ‘SIM Protection Service’, with 2M new subscribers between April 22 and 24. The company plans to further enhance this service, including extending protection for customers while they roam internationally.
