Increased Internet information leaks raise alarm

Posted on : 2006-12-02 15:07 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Identities readily available due to netizens' comments

Lee, 28, an office worker, had his attention fixed on the Internet portal site, waiting for what he knew would come: the leak of the identity of a female English instructor charged with alleged involvement in pornography overseas. Three hours of waiting finally paid off. A comment popped up confirming the teacher's identity. He immediately spread the information through an instant messaging program.

"When I feel curious about something, I usually pay attention to comments made in cyberspace that other netizens upload," Lee said. "No exception this time."

As shown by this case and others, the Internet is fast emerging as a source of personal information leaks.

Comments made by a netizen disclosed the identity of a famous singer that was reported to be have assaulted someone during a concert earlier this year. Netizens rushed to confirm whose concert was held on the day and finally learned the identity of the signer. The name was instantly spread through Internet blogs and cafes.

Another prime example for personal information leaks in cyberspace is the so-called "sandpaper girl" or "Saponyeo" (in Korean, it means her personality is strident, like the texture of sandpaper). The world was coined to describe a female designer whose sharp and unfriendly exchange with one of her fans was disclosed on the internet. That caused a stir among netizens, who gave her the moniker. The controversy spun out of control and finally the "sandpaper girl" had to apologize through her mini homepage.

Portal site operators are busy preventing such "cyber terror." NHN Corp. said that it has mobilized more than 300 personnel to stave off such incidents as defamation or personal information leaks in cyberspace.

However, in many cases, their efforts bear little fruit, since once personal information spreads, there is no turning back. "It is almost impossible to delete netizens' comments since we cannot follow at the speed at which they upload them," a portal site official said.

The police investigator on the case of the English instructor said, "Information about her was given to the media in a way meant to conceal her identity. So we are baffled about how [netizens] learned the personal identity of the English instructor." Police asked Internet portal operators to delete related remarks on their sites immediately.

But the identity of the English instructor made it onto the internet and spread onto blogs - and so did the video in which she allegedly appears. The teacher in question, whose family name is Kim, faces up to a year in jail or a fine of up to 10 million won, as appearing in pornography is a crime in South Korea. As of 3 pm on December 1, "Canada's English instructor" still remains the No. 1 Internet search word on the Korean Internet portal Naver.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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