What happened?

South Korea's National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK) said on October 19, 2026 that immigration authorities should revise how they handle foreigners' phones during airport entry screening. According to the Commission, officials must clearly ask for explicit consent before reviewing personal data stored on a traveler's phone.

The recommendation follows a complaint filed in October 2025 by five foreign nationals from Mongolia, Türkiye, and Germany. They said airport staff seized their phones and collected personal information without permission, violating their right to control how their personal data is used.

What did immigration authorities say?

The immigration office told the Commission that it reviewed the phones with the travelers' consent in order to confirm the purpose of their visit. It said some information was photographed to secure evidence.

Why did the Commission step in?

The Commission's Second Infringement Remedy Committee found that consent was unclear. Some consent forms did not explain why phone data was being reviewed, how far the review would go, or how long the information would be kept. In some cases, consent was only given verbally.

The Commission said these practices took away travelers' control over their own data and their ability to ask for it to be handled properly.

What changes were recommended?

The Commission asked the airport immigration office to:

  • Revise consent forms so they list the specific types of information collected.
  • Create rules requiring that collected data be deleted without delay once the collection purpose is fulfilled.

For international fans

If you are traveling to Korea, the rules for airport checks can feel unclear. The Commission's recommendation focuses on giving foreign travelers clear written information about what is being checked and what happens to the data afterward. Check official immigration guidance before your trip for the latest rules.