Too much information? Privacy questions over S. Korea virus details

A woman holding her phone showing emergency alert text messages announcing locations that confirmed Covid-19 patients have visited, among others, in Seoul on March 10, 2020. In a country where virtually everyone owns a smartphone, doxxing – maliciously spreading private information about individuals and businesses online – has long been a problem. — AFP

SEOUL: Allegations of affairs, revelations of membership of religious sects: South Korea's openness about infected patients has been key in its fight against the coronavirus but raised uncomfortable questions over privacy and stigmatisation.

South Korea has confirmed more than 7,500 infections, one of the the largest totals outside China, where the virus first emerged, although new case numbers have been declining for several days.