# Korea's Human Rights Commission Urges Clear Consent Before Airport Phone Checks

- URL: https://unnienote.app/en/news/korea-immigration-phone-search-consent-human-rights-commission-6c9244
- Published: 2026-10-19T06:54:55.647Z
- Publisher: Unnie Note

> South Korea's National Human Rights Commission has recommended that immigration authorities obtain explicit consent before reviewing and collecting data from foreigners' phones at airport entry screening.

## Key points

1. Five foreign nationals filed a complaint in October 2025.
2. Consent forms failed to state how long data would be kept.
3. Collected data must be deleted once its purpose is met.

## 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.

## FAQ

### Does Korean immigration need my consent to check my phone?

According to the National Human Rights Commission, officials should obtain explicit consent before reviewing personal data on a traveler's phone. The Commission found that some consent given at the airport was unclear.

### What did the Commission recommend?

It recommended that immigration offices revise consent forms to list the specific data collected and delete collected data without delay once its purpose is met.

### Who filed the complaint?

Five foreign nationals from Mongolia, Türkiye, and Germany filed the complaint in October 2025, saying their phones were seized and their data collected without consent.

## Sources

- [Yonhap News](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261019047300004)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._