Recently, the country has been plagued by “manipulation of public opinion through online comments,” where public opinion is distorted by abusing software such as macro programs to manipulate comments on news websites in an organized, repetitive, and malicious manner.
The problem is that the current Act does not regulate such practices. Critics say that website operators have a social responsibility to ensure the reliability and objectivity of information, such as by preventing and addressing manipulation of public opinion through online comments.
Accordingly, the Amendment newly inserts penal provisions to prevent the use of macro programs for the purpose of profiteering or influencing public opinion; imposes an administrative fine on providers of information and communications services who fail to take protective measures to ensure the stability of information and communications networks and the reliability and objectivity of information, such as technical and administrative measures to prevent and address the abuse of macro programs (Article 45 and Article 48, etc.).

Prescribe an obligation to take protective measures in accordance with information protection guidelines, and impose an administrative fine for non-compliance (Article 45, paragraph 2; Article 76, paragraph 1, subparagraph 6)

Prohibit the use of programs that automate and process simple, repetitive tasks to perform designated commands for the purpose of profiteering or influencing public opinion, and prescribe penalties for non-compliance (Article 48, paragraph 4; Article 71, paragraph 1, subparagraph 10-2)