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YouTube bypasses Korean law by 'blocking' uploads and comments

13 April 2009 17:05 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 3 comments

Google Inc.'s YouTube service has technically complied with the new Cyber Defamation Law in South Korea, by taking actions which seem to purposely be ineffective. The Cyber Defamation Law requires that all users who upload videos on a site that gets more than 100,000 visitors a day, provide their real name and national ID card number.

YouTube decided that instead of creating a new submission and registration system that would cater to the Korean government, it would simply block all uploads and comments from users in South Korea. Of course, if a user in South Korea simply changed their preference setting to a country other than South Korea, uploading and commenting won't be a problem.

"We have a bias in favor of freedom of expression and are committed to openness," said Lucinda Barlow, a spokeswoman for YouTube in Asia. "It's very important that if users want to be anonymous that they have that chance." The decision was taken after close consultation and debate between Google Korea and its headquarters.

The Cyber Defamation Law is a government response to the suicide of Choi Jin Sil, a popular actress, in October. The case brought cyber-bullying to the limelight in a country that has a very high number of Internet users.

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Discuss this article!
PyroKid (Inactive) 13 April 2009 17:10
spam edited by ddp [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 13 April 2009 22:13
KillerBug (Senior Member) 14 April 2009 4:41
They don't care about free speach, if they did, they would not have removed the videos of the chinese military beating unarmed civilians in Tibet. They only care about money. [ + quote]
jrhythm (Newbie) 15 April 2009 0:42
"everything's fine guys, everybody just lie, alright? change your preferences to a nation that's not yours. just like you were forced to before in other wars." YouTube imposes ideas on Korea at the same time saying "don't post yours, either!" that's some hypocritical political bull and after 8 years of Bush I'm full to hear me rap my full opinion, watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCCm_PTpnPM [ + quote]