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The Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Meta faces backlash in South Korea over mysterious account bans
SEOUL: A growing number of South Korean users are demanding answers from Meta after their Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended without clear reason. Some were even flagged for violating policies related to sexual exploitation of minors, allegations users say are not only false but deeply damaging to their personal reputations. Meta Korea has acknowledged a technical error, but frustration continues to grow. Accounts remain locked, and users say there is no direct way to appeal or receive help. 'I never uploaded anything illegal,' said one user during a recent closed-door session with lawmakers. 'But now people around me are suspicious. It's humiliating.' In response, Representative Choi Min-hee, head of the South Korean National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee organised a private meeting last week with affected users, legal experts and regulators. 'We need real solutions, not vague apologies,' she said, urging Meta to take responsibility and act swiftly. Heo Ouk, Meta Korea's director of public policy who attended the meeting, apologised for the 'frustration' and pledged to 'escalate the cases to headquarters for urgent review'. The session included testimony from users whose accounts were banned after seemingly routine activity. A college student had their account suspended after uploading an illustration for a class project. Another user, who runs a wildlife-themed page, said they were banned without explanation. One user reactivated their account after a study break, only to be locked out immediately. Attorney Kim Si-eun, representing several of the victims, said Meta must comply with South Korea's Telecommunications Business Act, which requires companies to prove that any service suspension is justified. 'If they can't show cause, they must restore the accounts immediately,' she said. She also called on Meta to speed up the launch of its promised South Korea-based customer service centre, which is currently scheduled for February 2026. Shin Seung-han, director of market surveillance at the Korea Communications Commission, confirmed that the agency has submitted a formal request to Meta for written clarification. He warned that if Meta is found to have violated the law, 'we will take legal measures under existing regulations'. Choi emphasised that the situation reflects a broader problem. 'There's no local customer support. Users are left in the dark,' she said. She plans to compile user testimonies and follow up with another meeting once Meta responds. - The Korea Herald/ANN
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Meta faces backlash in South Korea over mysterious account bans
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SEOUL - A growing number of South Korean users are demanding answers from Meta after their Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended without clear reason. Some were even flagged for violating policies related to sexual exploitation of minors, allegations users say are not only false but deeply damaging to their personal reputations. Meta Korea has acknowledged a technical error, but frustration continues to grow. Accounts remain locked, and users say there's no direct way to appeal or receive help. 'I never uploaded anything illegal,' said one user during a recent closed-door session with lawmakers. 'But now people around me are suspicious. It's humiliating.' In response, Representative Choi Min-hee, head of the South Korean National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee organised a private meeting last week with affected users, legal experts, and regulators. 'We need real solutions, not vague apologies,' she said, urging Meta to take responsibility and act swiftly. Mr Heo Ouk, Meta Korea's director of public policy who attended the meeting, apologised for the 'frustration' and pledged to 'escalate the cases to headquarters for urgent review'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Government looking at enhancing laws around vaping to tackle issue of drug-laced vapes in Singapore Singapore Why the vape scourge in Singapore concerns everyone Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Singapore Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys Business 29 Jollibean workers get help from MOM, other agencies, over unpaid salaries Asia Why China's high-end hotels are setting up food stalls outside their doors Singapore Geothermal energy present in S'pore, but greater study on costs, stability needed, say experts The session included testimony from users whose accounts were banned after seemingly routine activity. A college student had their account suspended after uploading an illustration for a class project. Another user, who runs a wildlife-themed page, said they were banned without explanation. One user reactivated their account after a study break, only to be locked out immediately. Attorney Kim Si-eun, representing several of the victims, said Meta must comply with South Korea's Telecommunications Business Act, which requires companies to prove that any service suspension is justified. 'If they can't show cause,' she said, 'they must restore the accounts immediately.' She also called on Meta to speed up the launch of its promised South Korea-based customer service center, which is currently scheduled for February 2026. Mr Shin Seung-han, director of market surveillance at the Korea Communications Commission, confirmed that the agency has submitted a formal request to Meta for written clarification. He warned that if Meta is found to have violated the law, 'we will take legal measures under existing regulations'. Ms Choi emphasised that the situation reflects a broader problem. 'There's no local customer support. Users are left in the dark,' she said. She plans to compile user testimonies and follow up with another meeting once Meta responds. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Korea Herald
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Meta faces backlash in South Korea over mysterious account bans
A growing number of South Korean users are demanding answers from Meta after their Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended without clear reason. Some were even flagged for violating policies related to sexual exploitation of minors, allegations users say are not only false but deeply damaging to their personal reputations. Meta Korea has acknowledged a technical error, but frustration continues to grow. Accounts remain locked, and users say there's no direct way to appeal or receive help. 'I never uploaded anything illegal,' said one user during a recent closed-door session with lawmakers. 'But now people around me are suspicious. It's humiliating.' In response, Rep. Choi Min-hee, head of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee organized a private meeting last week with affected users, legal experts, and regulators. 'We need real solutions, not vague apologies,' Choi said, urging Meta to take responsibility and act swiftly. Heo Ouk, Meta Korea's director of public policy who attended the meeting, apologized for the 'frustration' and pledged to 'escalate the cases to headquarters for urgent review.' The session included testimony from users whose accounts were banned after seemingly routine activity. A college student had their account suspended after uploading an illustration for a class project. Another user, who runs a wildlife-themed page, said they were banned without explanation. One user reactivated their account after a study break, only to be locked out immediately. Attorney Kim Si-eun, representing several of the victims, said Meta must comply with South Korea's Telecommunications Business Act, which requires companies to prove that any service suspension is justified. 'If they can't show cause,' she said, 'they must restore the accounts immediately.' She also called on Meta to speed up the launch of its promised South Korea-based customer service center, which is currently scheduled for February 2026. Shin Seung-han, director of market surveillance at the Korea Communications Commission, confirmed that the agency has submitted a formal request to Meta for written clarification. He warned that if Meta is found to have violated the law, 'we will take legal measures under existing regulations.' Rep. Choi emphasized that the situation reflects a broader problem. 'There's no local customer support. Users are left in the dark,' she said. She plans to compile user testimonies and follow up with another meeting once Meta responds.
Korea Herald
09-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Local mobile content provider protection, secondary battery industry support
The Korea Herald republishes a weekly legislative report by local law firm DR & AJU LLC to provide the latest information on bills approved, proposed, pending and set to be promulgated. — Ed. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act Proposed by Rep. Choi Min-hee (Democratic Party of Korea) ● This bill would bar global app market operators such as Google and Apple from retaliating against mobile content providers who report violations, including the coercive use of specific in-app payment systems. Offenders could face punitive damages of up to three times the resulting losses. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Korea Development Act Proposed by Rep. Min Hyung-bae (Democratic Party of Korea) ● This bill would explicitly establish the duty of policy financial institutions to promote balanced regional development in relevant laws, including the Export-Import Bank of Korea Act. Pending Bill: Special Act on the Promotion and Support of the Secondary Battery Industry Proposed by Rep. Lee Sang-hwi (People Power Party) ● This bill would establish national-level measures to foster and support the secondary battery industry, aiming to drive innovation, boost growth and strengthen industrial competitiveness. Promulgated Bill: Safety Control and Business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act Competent Authority: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy ● The amended law, effective November 28, will allow drivers to refuel their own vehicles at liquefied petroleum gas stations equipped with appropriate facilities. Competent Authority: Financial Services Commission ● Under the draft amendment, the supervisory benchmark under the Korea Insurance Capital Standard would be lowered from 150 percent to 130 percent as early as mid-June.
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Stock undervaluation prevention, bank branch closure notices
The Korea Herald republishes a weekly legislative report by local law firm DR & AJU LLC to provide the latest information on bills approved, proposed, pending and set to be promulgated. — Ed. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act Proposed by Rep. Lee So-young (Democratic Party of Korea) ● This amendment aims to prevent controlling shareholders from inducing stock undervaluation to reduce inheritance or gift taxes during succession. If the assessed value of listed shares falls below 80 percent of their net asset value, the same valuation method used for unlisted shares will be applied, reflecting both assets and earnings. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act Proposed by Rep. Choi Soo-jin (People Power Party) ● This amendment aims to curb Google's forced in-app payment policy by specifying prohibited acts of major app market operators and banning the imposition of unreasonable or discriminatory conditions on the use of external payment systems. Pending Bill: Partial Amendment to the Banking Act Proposed by Rep. Park Hong-bae (Democratic Party of Korea) ● As banks tend to facilitate the transition to digital services and close physical branches, this amendment seeks to protect digitally vulnerable individuals by requiring advance notice before any branch closure. Promulgated Bill: Act on the Improvement of Urban Areas and Residential Environments Competent Authority: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport ● This bill lowers the consent threshold for forming a reconstruction project association from at least 75 percent to 70 percent of all strata title holders in each unit of a housing complex. Administrative Announcement: Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on the Prevention of Loss Caused by Telecommunications-Based Financial Fraud and Refund for Loss Competent Authority: Financial Services Commission ● This amendment requires specialized credit financial companies and credit service providers to verify users' identities during financial transactions, aiming to prevent telecommunications-based financial fraud.
