Venture Industry Urges Reconsideration of Information and Communications Network Act Amendments on Public Opinion Manipulation

Venture Business Association and Korea Startup Forum Issue Joint Statement

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The venture industry has expressed concerns about the ongoing discussions in the National Assembly regarding amendments to the Information and Communications Network Act, set against social controversies such as fake news and macro-based public opinion manipulation. On the 19th, the Korea Venture Business Association and Korea Startup Forum issued a statement asserting that "the amendment of the Information and Communications Network Act concerning public opinion manipulation and the discussion of internet regulation must be thoroughly reconsidered."

According to the venture industry, acts of public opinion manipulation through fake news or macros are currently regulated under existing criminal law (defamation, obstruction of business), the Information and Communications Network Act (prohibition of distribution of illegal information), and if such manipulation affects public elections, it can be punished under the Public Official Election Act. Public opinion manipulation is already illegal under current laws and is subject to severe penalties. The venture industry stated, "to eradicate acts of public opinion manipulation, strict law enforcement by the executive and judiciary against offenders must be a prerequisite, alongside efforts by all users and information and communication service providers to foster a healthy internet environment."

However, recent discussions on amending the Information and Communications Network Act include provisions that impose responsibility on information and communication service providers to prevent the distribution of fake news, require technical measures to prevent the misuse of automated programs (macros), and mandate compliance with extensive guidelines proposed by the Korea Communications Commission. The venture industry believes this could seriously infringe on the rights of internet users.

If this legislation is enacted, information and communication service providers would be obligated to extensively monitor information generated on their operated websites and determine whether the countless posts created by unspecified individuals are information produced for improper purposes such as public opinion manipulation or defamation. In their statement, the venture industry said, "it is inappropriate legislation as it risks seriously infringing on the rights of the vast majority of good-faith internet users while trying to eradicate a small number of illegal acts punishable under current laws," and "service providers would need to invest enormous manpower and resources in monitoring, and there is a clear risk of censorship and political bias controversies during the process of addressing so-called fake news, constituting excessive regulation on companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.