Starbucks Coffee Korea said Monday it has introduced a simpler authentication for WiFi in local shops, as consumers complained about discrimination after the company had required local customers to fill out twice as many fields compared with those for foreigners.
   
In the new Korean-language WiFi authentication webpage showcased Monday, users were only asked to type in their name and a valid email address, and were given choices whether or not to give their mobile phone numbers for promotions or events.

Previously, local Starbucks shops required visitors to type in their name, email, mobile phone number and service provider in order to use free WiFi on the Korean version of its Web page, whereas the English version only requires name and email.
  
Local Starbucks had said the previous authentication followed the country's information security law, which requires the collection of user data to prevent IT-related incidents, such as hacking attacks, from happening.
   
"We have decided to simplify the authentication processes with KT Corp., the service provider, for the convenience of customers and security," a Starbucks official said. (Yonhap)