[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] LG Uplus(032640)is partnering with Seoul Women’s University to develop personal information protection technology. The two parties will conduct joint research on technology that automatically identifies and pseudonymizes sensitive information, and will explore ways to apply the results to actual telecommunications services.

LG Uplus announced on the 3rd that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seoul Women’s University to conduct joint research in the fields of personal information protection, artificial intelligence (AI), and data, as well as to cultivate specialized talent. The two parties will research technologies for combining and analyzing pseudonymized data, centered on the Personal Information Protection Commission’s “Innovation Zone” to be established at Seoul Women’s University.

Pseudonymized data refers to data from which information that directly identifies an individual—such as a name or contact information—has been deleted or replaced. The two parties will research methods for securely combining public and private data, including telecommunications data, and analyze the likelihood of re-identifying individuals from the combined data.

They will verify the performance of technologies for the automatic detection and pseudonymization of sensitive information by applying them to real-world data. They will also study ways to implement “Privacy by Design,” which incorporates personal information protection principles from the service planning and design stages. The goal is to increase data utilization while reducing the risk of personal information breaches.

They are also promoting the training of specialized professionals among graduate students. LG Uplus is participating in Seoul Women’s University’s master’s and doctoral program for personal information protection and utilization, providing support through curriculum advisory services, capstone projects, and joint seminars. Security experts are also participating in lectures, thesis advising, and on-site mentoring.

LG Uplus is also continuing its collaboration with Soongsil University to cultivate information security talent. In 2023, the company established a job-guaranteed Department of Information Security at Soongsil University and admitted its first class of students in 2024. Together with the Ministry of Education and Tori Korea, LG Uplus operates information security education programs, competitions, and career exploration programs for middle and high school students.

Hong Kwan-hee, Head of the Information Security Center (CISO·CPO) at LG Uplus, stated, “As the use of AI and data expands, both the technology to respond to security threats and the ability to protect customers’ personal information are becoming increasingly important.” He added, “We will combine the research capabilities of universities with our experience in the telecommunications field to promote the development of information security technology and the training of specialized professionals.”