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.