Reasons for Proposal
Recently, people are falling victim to fake news which deliberately causes readers to mistake false or distorted facts as press reports and to malicious attempts to create and manipulate posts on the Internet using macro programs for the purpose of manipulating public opinion or defaming others.
Given the substantial influence of the Internet, society would be severely harmed by such events, requiring measures to create a healthy online environment and to prevent damage to users.
Therefore, the Amendment aims to introduce systems to prevent the circulation of fake news and manipulation of postings; annd provide relevant penal provisions, thereby creating a sound online environment and protecting the users.
Details
A. No one, for political or economic gains, shall circulate the informationthat may deliberately cause readers to mistake false or distorted facts as press reports(hereinafter referred as "fake news") through the information network (Article 44 (1) and Article 44-7 (1)).
B. Where information provided through the information network for the purpose of disclosure to the public falls under fake news, a user may request a provider of information and communication services to delete the relevant information; and the providers of information and communication services shall establish and provide effective and transparent procedures for users to request for the deletion, etc. of the information (Article 44-2).
C. A provider of information and communication services shall designate a person who is in charge of preventing the spread of fake news, thereby preventing the circulation of fake news (Article 44-8 newly inserted).
D. The Korea Communications Commission may issue an order of compliance to a provider of information and communication services who fails to monitor fake news, etc., and take measures to issue a disposition of business suspension or closure to a provider of information and communication services who violates such order more than a certain number of times (Article 44-9 newly inserted).
E. No one shall create or manipulate posts, for the purpose of manipulating public opinion or defame others, on the bulletin board managed and operated by a provider of information and communication services, whose average number of users per day, sales, etc., meet certain criteria; and no one shall develop, distribute, diffuse, import, or sell an automated program for such purposes (Article 44-10 newly inserted).
F. No one shall use a program which automatically processes simple and repetitive tasks which perform specified commands at a specified time to gain unfair financial benefits or influence in forming public opinion (Article 48 (4) newly inserted).
