Wrapping Up.. :)

This semester has quickly come to an end, and along with the successful completion of the Information Systems course, the time has come for us to wrap up our blog entries as well. We hope that by reading our blog entries, you, as a reader, are able to see the degree to which we, as users of technology, have altered, if not, have at least slightly influenced, the initial aim of technologies in general. A lack of understanding of this particular issue at hand will result in a greater loss and damage to the end user.

Throughout the execution phase of this Visionary Project, we provided overviews and insightful analyses regarding privacy issues in South Korea that, with the advent of the Internet and its widespread use, have become of great importance. More than we are actually aware of, privacy issues—whether it be an individual’s, a group’s, or an organization’s—have increasingly become a concern that can no longer be left neglected. All of today’s technologies have begun with the purpose of bringing us more comfort and of easing our lives. Nowadays, however, we find ourselves entrapped in this world of technology where we are, at times, negatively impacted by what we hoped would bring us joy. Social shaping has greatly altered the uses of technology, making us the silent target and victims of this new technological era. It is not yet late to correct the issues raised with the implementation of technology. The faster we make ourselves aware of these ongoing problems, the more successful we will be with solving the issues at hand.

Being new to the world of blogs, we found several things challenging when writing our posts. Because we tried to focus on the issues pertaining to South Korea—a country known for strong technological advances in the recent years—we found ourselves spending too much time describing what the issue was, rather than providing thoughtful insights as to how we saw the issue affecting the future outlook of IS. Moreover, we digressed from our original focus of discussing such issues brought into light in South Korea. In some of the entries, although we did not stray completely off topic by continuing to mention technology-privacy issue, the discussion was too general and not focused. During our final editing process of our entire blog, we replaced those entries that did not fit in with our overall topic with those that did and edited those entries that were too information-heavy so that more of our thoughts and analyses were present.

Undoubtedly, technology will continue to exist among us and will continue to develop from its current state. It is of utmost importance that we are always on the lookout for misuses of these technologies and are able to deftly solve problems the moment they arise.

*…Dreaming of an untarnished world of technology…*

Who is Responsible??

As you can tell from our previous blogs, the targets for cyber bullying are usually people who are socially disadvantaged: women, minorities or disabled people. And, usually they are individuals (i.e. celebrities) instead of groups. The Internet users are targeting those who specially need the social protection of their privacy. It is ironic, because the anonymity is usually used to advantage those “disadvantaged” people by protecting their voice. However, in the web space, the anonymity is used to attack the weak. Will the Real-Name System Stop Cyber Bullying?

We think it won’t. What causes cyber bullying is somewhat different from real-life bullying. We think that the most important factor that causes cyber bullying is the escapism of the reality. Sometimes the Internet users become totally different people in the web space. They sometime say things that they would never say in the real-life. People use the cyber space to relieve their stress and disclose their hidden selves. Even if the Real-Name system is regulated, the problem cannot be completely wiped out, because of athe “group polarization.” Even if those users’ identities are disclosed—because there are so many of them—no one will get punished.

We think that the way of approaching the problem is makes things even worse. The main discussion should be not between “Real-Name vs. Anonymity” but “Forced Real-Name System vs. Freedom of Choice.” Instead of the government forcing everyone to reveal their personal identity and information, the users should be able to make the decision for themselves. The people who share the information have to decide what group of people they want to share their information with to what extent. The people should have limited access to the information according to the information they reveal about themselves. This way, people can choose to reveal if they want to or choose to hide if they want to. Of course, the access to the information will be limited according to your “identity.” We think this is more effective and fair to the websites and communities, who provide information, and also to the all Internet users. The Real-Name System is only a short term solution to deal with the cyber bullying problem. The web is created and used by the users, the people. The government forcing the rules will not change the situation. People have to realize the seriousness of the problem and make informed choices for their own privacy settings.

All Internet users are responsible of the cyber bullying issue. And, we have to change the “culture” of the web space.

Comments on the YouTube Korea Instance

In our previous two blogs, we have talked about the real name verification issue between YouTube and South Korea government. In South Korea, this particular issue suggested a controversial discussion among the Internet users. We want to discuss the reactions of Korean Internet users on this issue more in depth.
( In South Korea, Real-Name Verification Regulation was first passed in January 26, 2007. The law requires "Real-Name Verification" for Internet services with more than 100,000 different daily users )

As the police announced that the reason for the recent instances of celebrities’ suicides were caused by the Internet users’ malicious comments, the government strictly implemented and expanded Real-Name System Regulations on all Korean Websites. And, this YouTube Korea instance triggered strong oppositions among Internet users against government’s harsh limitation against freedom of expression on the Internet. The main issue discussed on the web is: Internet-Real Name System, Is it really necessary?

We think that the more important issue raised here is: how are these instances changing how Korean people think and act? When Unee ( a Korean singer who committed suicide by Internet users’ malicious comments ) first commented suicide, the entire country was shocked. As more instances hit the country, people are starting to recognize the seriousness of the issue. South Korea is one of the countries that has fast-growing IT. Since 1990s, when Internet users significantly increased in South Korea, the country concentrated on developing and improving their IT systems. However, they did not concentrate on developing the quality of the web environment. As more information became available to the users, they collaborated and shared their information and comments on the web across the country. And, the power of Korean “netizens” significantly increased over the decades, and cyber bullying became a serious problem. Before they protest against Real-Name Verification Regulation, they have to think about what caused this to happen. South Korea is the first country to implement the real-name regulation. We think the instances introduced in our previous postings are starting to change people’s perspectives. These shocking news are suggesting everyone in the nation that something needs to change in the web environment.

Now, it is time for South Koreans to think about improving the quality of the web environment—not the quality of the systems.

On April 10, Google refuses South Korean government’s real-name system!

In our previous blog post, we mentioned how YouTube agreed to implement Real Name system on YouTube Korea, because the South Korean government required YouTube to use the "real-name verification" system in its attempt to reduce piracy. However, a week after, YouTube refused South Korean government’s real-name system. Rachel Whetstone, vice president of Global Communications & Public Affairs at Google, strongly argued that: “Freedom of Expression on the Internet should be experienced globally by all users!” For now, YouTube limited its video upload and comment functions in South Korea. However, they offered a pop-up statement on YouTube Korea website that, “If you change your country setting, you can upload videos and post comments.” YouTube indirectly suggests Korean users an alternative choice to use YouTube without having to go through real-name verification.

This particular issue raises the question of whether or not it is morally correct to inform Internet users of the way in which they can get around using the newly implemented "real-name verification" system for the South Korean YouTube users. This case shows how much YouTube values “Freedom of Expression” of the Internet users. YouTube is a highly user dependent website, where all resources available in the website is created by the users. I personally agree with YouTube’s decision to refuse the real-name system. I feel embarrassed (as a Korean citizen) that this is the first time YouTube had to go through a real-name verification issue on their service. Even though they eventually refused Korean government’s regulation, this case clearly shows how serious privacy issue is in South Korea.

Many Korean Internet users supported YouTube’s decision to keep their company’s value. The Internet privacy related instances we have shared in our previous blogs have shocked the entire country several times. Many South Koreans are starting to recognize the seriousness of the privacy issues in the country. South Korea is about to take a first step towards envisioning a healthy web-environment.

On April 1, YouTube Korea Begins "Real-Name" System

Starting from April 1, Google agreed to implement a “real name” system on Youtube Korea. Google submitted to the new Korean Government policy on the “real name” system regulations. South Korea is the only country in the world where Internet users are required to confirm their identity before posting many comments or contents. All South Korean Google Product users can post their comments and videos only after they confirm their resident registration numbers.

This is the first time Google implemented a “real name” system on their service. Google allowed all users around the world to use Google services with only an online ID, password and email address. Many Korea Youtube users got angry about the Government decision to force the “real name” system on Youtube, because Youtube is a highly user-oriented website. Google first refused this decision, because they value users’ participation on their services. However, cyber bullying has become a serious issue in South Korea, and the Government strongly asserted that they cannot make an exception.

The decision shows how serious the privacy and cyber bullying issues are in South Korea. Why is South Korea suffering from these issues? Hiding behind the computer screens, the users become more violent and malicious with their comments. Because they know that they are not going to get punished for what they say or do, they freely express their feelings. More important issue is the group polarization. As a large group, Internet users believe that their responsibilities on their comments are diffused. In a group, people feel less guilty about doing something bad. Sometimes people show totally different personalities on the Web. And, they are using Internet as a refuge to relieve their stress. As more Internet users act “artificially” on the Web, the Internet will remain as an imaginary space. We should carefully think about how we want to use our space.

Simply Deleting Comments Won't Solve the Problem!

The Ministry of Justice recently announced that portal websites have rights to delete people’s comments if necessary. Until now, websites only deleted postings or comments that are reported by a specific victim. However, from now on, websites can delete “any comment” that they think is wrong.

We believe the government’s restriction on the web is becoming way too extreme in this particular case. People should have right to freely express their thoughts and opinions. And, it should not be hindered (or deleted) by other people. Also, how do they identify between malicious comments and regular comments?

We think that in order for this regulation to be implemented, websites need to come up with very specific guidelines about which comments need to be deleted. Also, companies should significantly increase the number of employees who will be monitoring the comments. Unless the “deleting policy” is carefully managed, the websites will have to deal with a serious privacy issue with the users. Also, it may significantly harm reputations of the websites. To create a healthy web environment, companies have to assist the users to recognize what is right or wrong—instead of just deleting their comments without letting them know. Nowadays, most websites are created and ran by collaborated work of Internet users. Restricting their thoughts and comments cannot solve the problem. Instead, the government and IT company leaders have to find ways to inform and encourage users to correctly participate in the web spaces.

Online Suicide Cafés… Who Should be Held Responsible?

In one of our first posts, we talked about the rise in the number of suicides of celebrities due to malicious comments of netizens. However, this isn’t the sole driving force of the recent rise in suicide rates. There has been a disturbing increase in the number of people committing accompanied-suicide in South Korea, where random individuals gather together at a specific location and “die together”. A close investigation has shown that such incidents were heavily influenced by the establishments of online suicide cafés. These suicide cafés were created with the sole purpose of gathering people who are thinking of potentially committing suicides and sharing information regarding how to commit such atrocious acts. Sensing the extreme severity of the rising number of such deaths in the recent months, the Korean government has finally taken an initiative in arresting the founders and administrators of these suicide Internet cafés.

Whereas online communities were once formed with providing a space in the cyberworld where individuals can anonymously share his or her ideas and perceptions regarding various topics and issues in mind, not all, but significant number of such web-based communities nowadays, have undoubtedly deteriorated from their good-willed nature. Here, we can see how the society is changing, if not shaping, the way in which technology is being used by its users. As a fervent user of the Internet as well as a member of numerous online communities, It is distressing to hear such depressing news. We regret seeing how online communities, which were once created to encourage people with similar interests to actively engage in conversations and activities in order be fully invigorated to pursue an even more fabulous lives, are being misused in such a manner.

We believe that the South Korean government’s first step forward in taking care of the rapidly spreading deterioration and misuse of these “Internet cafés” will greatly facilitate decreasing the number of innocent lives taken away by this “silent power” of technology. We cannot deny the fact that we are fully responsible for changes in technology that may occur, whether it be a change for the better or for the worse.

It’s time for us to be more aware of our doings in order to prevent such atrocities from happening and start fixing even the smallest problems we notice, or else, it will be too late for us to do anything.