Prosecutors Seizure Coupang Headquarters for 'Suspected Manipulation of Search Algorithm'

Prosecutors have launched a forced investigation into Coupang, which is suspected of manipulating search rankings with algorithms to increase the frequency of exposure of its own brand products.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office raided Coupang's headquarters in Songpa-gu, Seoul, for two days from yesterday (11th) on charges of violating the Fair Trade Act.

Coupang is suspected of manipulating the algorithm and ranking more than 60,000 searches of its products.

Earlier in June, the Fair Trade Commission fined Coupang 140 billion won and filed a complaint with the prosecution for manipulating search ranking algorithms to increase sales of "own products" and putting its products at the top of the search ranking due to reviews by executives and employees and high ratings.