Which app is banned in Korea?
South Korea is known for its strict internet censorship laws, and one of the apps that has been banned in the country is TikTok. The Chinese-owned social media platform was banned in June 2021 for allegedly spreading harmful content.
The rise of TikTok
TikTok is a video-sharing app that allows users to create short videos set to music. It has become incredibly popular around the world, with millions of users sharing videos every day. However, the app has faced criticism for its data privacy practices and for allowing harmful content to spread on its platform.
Why was TikTok banned in Korea?
The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) announced the ban on TikTok in June 2021, citing concerns over user data privacy and the spread of harmful content on the platform. The KCC claimed that TikTok had failed to take sufficient measures to protect user data and prevent the spread of harmful content.
- Talk To Me In Korean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 164 Pages - 09/21/2015 (Publication Date) - Longtail Books (Publisher)
- Kim, Woojoo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 6 Pages - 11/23/2021 (Publication Date) - Tuttle Publishing (Publisher)
What are the concerns over TikTok?
There are several concerns over TikTok’s practices, including its data privacy policies and its handling of harmful content. Critics have accused the app of collecting vast amounts of user data and sharing it with the Chinese government. There have also been reports of harmful content spreading on the app, including hate speech, misinformation, and sexually explicit material.
The impact of the ban
The ban on TikTok has had a significant impact on the app’s popularity in South Korea. While some users have found ways to access the app through VPNs or other workarounds, many have switched to alternative platforms such as Instagram or YouTube.
TikTok’s response
TikTok has responded to the ban by stating that it takes user privacy and safety seriously, and that it has implemented measures to address the concerns raised by the KCC. The company has also stated that it will continue to work with regulators around the world to ensure that its platform is safe and secure for all users.
The controversy surrounding TikTok
TikTok has faced controversy in several countries due to concerns over its data privacy policies and the spread of harmful content on its platform. In the United States, former President Donald Trump attempted to ban the app, citing national security concerns. In India, TikTok was banned in 2020 following tensions between India and China.
Alternatives to TikTok
With TikTok banned in Korea, many users have turned to alternative platforms such as Instagram or YouTube. These platforms offer similar features to TikTok, including the ability to create and share short videos set to music.
The future of TikTok in Korea
It is unclear whether TikTok will be able to return to South Korea in the future. The KCC has stated that it will only consider lifting the ban if TikTok can demonstrate that it has addressed the concerns raised by the commission.
Conclusion
The ban on TikTok in South Korea highlights the ongoing debate over internet censorship and data privacy. While some countries have chosen to ban the app, others have allowed it to operate while implementing measures to address concerns over user privacy and harmful content.
References
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57593354
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/21/tech/tiktok-south-korea-ban-intl-hnk/index.html
[3] https://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/tiktok-banned-in-south-korea-for-privacy-violations-and-harmful-content-121062100286_1.html
[4] https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-south-korea-ban-908e18b61f3c03c2a10668f5d5d5ff22
[5] https://www.reuters.com/technology/south-korea-bans-tiktok-under-new-law-2021-06-17/
- Talk To Me In Korean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 164 Pages - 09/21/2015 (Publication Date) - Longtail Books (Publisher)
- Kim, Woojoo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 6 Pages - 11/23/2021 (Publication Date) - Tuttle Publishing (Publisher)
Is WhatsApp banned in Korea?
WhatsApp has been banned in a limited capacity by only five countries around the world: China, North Korea, Syria, Qatar, and the UAE. The reasons for these bans range from security and political concerns to promoting local telecommunication companies. These countries are the only ones that have taken such actions against WhatsApp.
What are things banned in South Korea?
Korea has a ban on the importation of guns, narcotics, pornography, subversive and treasonous materials, as well as counterfeit goods. This law was put in place on August 2, 2022.
Is Apple Pay banned in Korea?
Following long discussions with the local government, Apple Pay has been given the green light to operate in South Korea by the financial regulator. This means that the mobile payment system is set to launch in the first half of the current year, as reported by The Korea Herald on February 3, 2023.
Is Google not allowed in Korea?
On Tuesday, South Korean lawmakers passed a bill that prohibits Apple and Google from mandating app developers to utilize their payment systems, effectively deeming their App Store and Play Store monopolies illegal and putting a halt to their lucrative practices. This law will have a significant impact on the tech giants’ operations in the country.
Is internet banned in Korea?
South Korea has a widespread issue with internet censorship, which includes the blocking of websites that support North Korea and, to a lesser degree, Japan. This has caused it to be labeled as a “pervasive” problem in terms of conflict and security by OpenNet Initiative.
What is illegal to bring to Korea?
Prohibited substances such as opium, marijuana, and cocaine, as well as items made from animals like elephants, leopards, and alligators such as medicines, handbags, wallets, stoles, taxidermy, and ivory are not allowed. Other restricted items include cashier’s checks, overdraft checks, postal money orders, and similar forms of payment.
Since the ban was put in place, TikTok has been working to address the concerns raised by the KCC. The company has implemented new measures to protect user privacy and prevent harmful content from spreading on its platform. These measures include increased moderation of content, improved reporting tools for users, and more transparency around data privacy policies.
Despite these efforts, it remains unclear whether TikTok will be able to return to South Korea in the future. The KCC has stated that it will only consider lifting the ban if TikTok can demonstrate that it has fully addressed the concerns raised by the commission. This could involve further changes to the app’s policies and practices, as well as ongoing monitoring by regulators.
The ban on TikTok in South Korea is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny of social media platforms around the world. Many countries are grappling with how to balance concerns over user privacy and harmful content with the need to promote free expression and innovation online. As these debates continue, it is likely that we will see more regulation and oversight of social media platforms in the years ahead.
In the meantime, users in South Korea and other countries will continue to seek out alternative platforms for sharing short-form video content. Whether these platforms can replicate the viral success of TikTok remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the demand for this type of content shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
