Kakao adds 'My Name Protection' feature to flag registrations made in a user's name
In short
Kakao said on 22 October that it has introduced a 'My Name Protection' feature. When identity-verification information is newly registered on a Kakao account, the feature requires extra verification through the account that already holds the same name. The user can allow the attempt or block it.
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Kakao said on 22 October that it has introduced a 'My Name Protection' (내 명의 보호) feature. According to Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily, the feature lets users directly check and manage the process by which identity-verification information is registered on Kakao accounts in their name. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The feature works by adding a step when identity-verification information is newly registered on a Kakao account. In that case, additional verification must be completed through the existing account on which the same name is already registered. Newsis wrote that this applies to users who have switched the feature on. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The extra verification is done by pressing 'Allow' in a KakaoTalk message sent to the existing account, or by entering a verification code sent to that account's email. Newsis reported that users can use this to confirm whether they requested the registration and to block another person's attempt. Yonhap said users can immediately block name-registration attempts they did not request. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
To use the feature, users go to 'Kakao Account' in KakaoTalk settings and then to the 'Account security' item, where 'My Name Protection' can be set, Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily reported. It can also be set or released in the account security menu of the Kakao Account homepage. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Newsis reported that the feature differs from the existing two-step verification. It said two-step verification requires a preset verification after the account and password are entered at login, while 'My Name Protection' adds a check to the process of registering identity-verification information on another account. [ 1 ]
Seoul Economic Daily said the feature is meant to prevent damage from identity theft. Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily both noted that Kakao also provides country-based login restrictions, passkeys and QR code login as account security features. [ 1 , 3 ]
A Kakao official was quoted by Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily as saying that 'My Name Protection' was prepared so users can directly check and manage their name-registration process. The official added that Kakao would keep strengthening its account security features so users can use Kakao accounts more safely. Yonhap carried a shorter statement from a Kakao official to similar effect. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The feature gives users a way to check and block attempts to register identity information in their name on other Kakao accounts. The documents give no figures on how often such misuse occurs, so its wider significance is not stated.
Key facts
- Kakao said on 22 October that it introduced a 'My Name Protection' (내 명의 보호) feature. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- When identity-verification information is newly registered on a Kakao account, additional verification is done through the existing account where the same name is already registered. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The extra step is pressing 'Allow' in a KakaoTalk message sent to the existing account or entering a verification code sent to that account's email. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Users can turn the feature on or off in the account security menu of KakaoTalk settings or on the Kakao Account homepage. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Newsis reported that the feature differs from the existing two-step verification, which adds a step at login. [ 1 ]
- Kakao also offers country-based login restrictions, passkeys and QR code login. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Kakao introduced the 'My Name Protection' feature, announced on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Registering identity-verification information on a Kakao account triggers extra verification through the existing account with the same name, via a KakaoTalk 'Allow' message or an emailed code. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Users can set or release the feature through the account security menu in KakaoTalk or on the Kakao Account homepage. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- When the feature becomes available to all users, and whether it is off by default. The documents do not say; Newsis only says users who turn it on face the extra step.
- How common identity misuse on Kakao accounts is. None of the documents gives figures or cases.