(Photo= Yonhap news)

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Minyoung] According to industry sources on the 17th, the Fair Trade Commission has obtained data related to membership operations and payment from Coupang headquarters.

Previously, Coupang increased its membership price from 4,990 won to 7,890 won, a 58% increase. During this process, by including the phrase 'agree to change membership fee' in the product payment window, pressing the payment button was considered as consenting to the increase in membership price. It was also noted that the membership notification text was small, and the agreement button was made to resemble a payment button.

The Fair Trade Commission reportedly initiated an investigation, considering Coupang's actions as potentially falling under 'dark patterns' that deceive consumers.

In response, Coupang stated that it complies with the Electronic Commerce Act by informing customers about changes to Wow membership fees through pop-up windows, notices, emails, etc., at least three times. They also claimed that Coupang's membership termination process is the most straightforward and fastest in the industry, unlike other companies where mid-term termination is difficult or prices are renewed without consent.

 

 

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