Measures Pertaining to Protection of Secrecy of Communications against connectFree k.k. (Administrative guidance)

1. Outline of Case

  Since December 7, 2011, MIC has required connectFree k.k. to provide detailed explanations on the fact that it collected ID, etc. pertaining to specified SNS service along with the provision of wireless LAN service without the permission of users based on the provision of Article 4 (secrecy of communications) of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984, hereinafter referred to as the Act).
  According to the explanation by connectFree k.k., the fact was found that said company recorded and preserved information pertaining to MAC addresses of terminals of users and communications to connect to sites of specified SNS services without the permission of users for the purpose of identifying said users along with the provision of wireless LAN service in case where it is used for crimes, etc.
 

2. Measures based on the Telecommunications Business Act

  ConnectFree k.k. is found to have infringed secrecy of communications provided in Article 4 of the Act by recording and preserving communications being handled by a telecommunications carrier.
  Therefore, MIC instructed connectFree k.k. to compile measures for preventing the recurrence and to report the status of their implementation.
 

3. Future Efforts

  MIC will continuously endeavor to provide necessary instructions and supervision to secure the protection of secrecy of communications being handled by telecommunications carriers.