Google accounts for one-third of South Korea’s internet search market, but only domestic tech firms such as Naver and Kakao are subject to regulations on fake news and youth protection. Experts and industry insiders have criticized Google for not joining the Korea Internet Self-Governance Organization (KISO), which works to create a safe Internet culture in Korea.
KISO has 16 Korean tech companies as members, including Naver, Kakao, and SK Communications, according to KISO. It was founded in 2009 by seven members - Daum, Yahoo Korea, SK Communications, NHN, KTH, Freechal, and Hanaro Dream - to encourage self-regulation in the Korean internet space. Social media platforms such as Clien, Today Humor, Ppomppu, and Inven have since joined the organization.
KISO is currently taking various measures to combat fake news while working to protect internet users in their teens. Naver, Kakao, and SK Communications have established and are maintaining a database of approximately 51,000 search terms related to youth protection in collaboration with KISO. Last year, 110 new search terms regarding illegal filming, sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, and new forms of illicit fraudulent loans were added to the database. Search terms related to ‘deep fake’ technology have also been included amid the growing use of AI in content creation.
The rise of fake news through deep fakes has emerged as a global issue. In the U.S., deepfake videos of President Joe Biden buying a book on dementia and Hillary Clinton endorsing Republican presidential candidates have stirred controversy.
Ahead of the general election in April, KISO has implemented a “Policy on Election-Related Internet Information Service Standards” since Dec. 12, 2023.
But Google’s non-membership in KISO means that these measures do not apply to the tech giant, which holds 30 percent of the country’s internet search market. While Google is strengthening its presence in the Korean market with services like search and video, it has yet to respond to KISO’s invitations to join the organization.
John Lee, the former head of Google Korea, said in 2018 that he would “actively consider joining KISO” after being questioned about countering fake news at a national audit held by the National Assembly.
“We have requested Google Korea to join several times, but to date, we have not received any response, " said a KISO official. “Our understanding of [this behavior] is that Google does not want to comply with self-governance regulations in specific countries as it is a global company.”
