"Unauthorized Location Tracking Is Illegal"... Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee to Investigate Location Tracker Sales Practices

Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee Launches Focused Crackdown on Illegal Location Tracking Practices

The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee announced on April 16 that it will launch a focused crackdown to eradicate illegal location tracking practices and raise public awareness among users.

Cases of Aiding and Abetting Violations of the Location Information Act. Provided by the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Commission

A location tracker is a device that utilizes technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine the real-time location of attached objects or people. It is used in various fields, including logistics management and the prevention of missing persons.

Recently, there has been a growing trend of abusing such functions to secretly track others, leading to crimes such as invasion of privacy and stalking. In order to collect, use, or provide the location information of a specific individual, prior consent from the person involved must be obtained in accordance with the Act on the Protection and Use of Location Information. Violation of this law may result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

However, some location tracker sellers are promoting illegal activities by advertising that the devices leave "no personal information traces" or that there is "no risk of detection due to the absence of warning sounds," thereby abetting and encouraging the secret attachment of location trackers.

In response, the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee has decided to collaborate with relevant agencies for a swift response to block the distribution of illegal location trackers. First, the committee will request major online shopping and trading platform operators, as well as the Korea Online Shopping Association, to strengthen self-regulation regarding posts that abet or encourage illegal location tracking activities. In cooperation with platform operators, the committee will implement measures to prohibit sellers from engaging in illegal activities and provide advance warnings to buyers to raise awareness.

When searching for "location tracker" on online shopping malls such as Naver Shopping and Coupang, warning messages clearly stating the possibility of criminal penalties will be displayed. On secondhand trading platforms such as Karrot Market and Junggonara, caution messages will be sent when users write posts or engage in chats that include related keywords.

The committee will also strengthen inspections of the distribution of location trackers and the operation status of location information services. This will target more than 3,200 location information service providers and location-based service providers. In addition, the committee will investigate businesses suspected of illegally collecting or operating with location information without registration or notification and will refer them for investigation if violations are detected. In such cases, violators may face imprisonment for up to five years (three years) or a fine of up to 50 million won (30 million won).

This year, the committee will prioritize on-site inspections of GPS location tracking service providers in its operational status checks. Illegal products distributed in the market that have not undergone conformity assessment for broadcasting and communication equipment will be subjected to intensive crackdowns in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and ICT. Along with this, the committee will identify areas for institutional improvement and pursue amendments to relevant laws.

Kim Jongcheol, Chairperson of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee, stated, "Anyone who tracks someone else's location without their consent can face severe punishment, so users must be vigilant themselves," adding, "We will continue to cooperate with relevant agencies and respond swiftly in order to prevent crimes and damages caused by the illegal use of location trackers."

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