[Digital Today reporter Lee Ho-jung] Kakao is revamping refund and management rules for mobile gift coupons used on services such as KakaoTalk Gift in a more consumer-friendly way. This follows the company reflecting in its services a revised standard terms proposal for new types of gift certificates announced by the Fair Trade Commission.

According to the industry on June 28, Kakao posted a notice on June 22 on revisions to its e-financial transaction terms of use, and the revised terms will take effect on Aug. 1.

The key change is an increase in the refund ratio for expired mobile gift coupons with a value above 50,000 won. Previously, only 90 percent of the purchase amount could be refunded in cash regardless of the amount. After the new terms take effect, the refund ratio rises to 95 percent for coupons over 50,000 won. The remaining 10 percent has been deducted as platform operation and refund processing fees, drawing persistent consumer complaints. Coupons worth 50,000 won or less will keep the existing 90 percent refund ratio.

If users choose to receive a refund in Kakao Shopping points rather than cash, they can convert the full purchase amount into points without any fee deduction.

A new clause on advance notice of the statute of limitations was also introduced. Under current law, mobile gift coupons and points expire after a five-year statute of limitations, and users' rights lapse. Kakao specified in its terms that it must provide users with advance notice of the remaining balance and the impending expiration before the statute of limitations is reached.

The revision also includes efficiency measures tied to service upgrades and corporate spinoffs. When using payment services such as KakaoPay, users can withdraw consent or delete a registered account through the service screen after consenting to a withdrawal and until the withdrawal record is entered in the account ledger.

All content related to the Daum portal service was deleted from the terms. As AXZ Co Ltd, which operates Daum, was officially spun off from Kakao, guidance channels for Daum services, customer service center addresses and contact information for requesting written delivery in the existing terms were reorganised. Terms related to Daum payment services will be operated by AXZ going forward.