Censorship? Pre-filtering Community Images? Ruliweb Operator's Response / Omokgyo Electronics Store

Is AI image filtering a shield to prevent digital sex crimes?

Or is it a black box where no one knows what is being filtered and why?

Starting July 1, domestic online communities and social media operators of a certain size or larger will be required to implement measures to cross-check images uploaded by users against databases of registered illegal footage.

The method involves comparing uploaded images against the characteristic values—the so-called "DNA"—of already registered illegal materials.

This is where the problem begins.

Operators are forced to shoulder the burden of high-spec server costs and operational expenses.

The operator of Ruliweb stated that due to the costs of securing servers and the uncertainty regarding performance, they are considering not only reducing image uploads but even relocating their operations overseas.

Since the same obligation is not applied equally to overseas operators, controversy over regulatory fairness is also growing.

A more fundamental issue is the transparency of the blocking list.

Neither operators nor users can easily verify what material was filtered and why, and there is no proper way for external parties to independently verify whether the DNA database operated by the government is functioning appropriately.

No one opposes the goal of preventing the redistribution of illegal content.

However, the costs that such measures impose on freedom of expression and the domestic internet ecosystem are questions that must be examined before implementation.

(Planning: Ha Hyun-jong, Director: Park Gyeong-heum, Assistant Directors: Cheon Se-yeon, Intern Kim Eun-chong, Intern Yang Gi-chang, Intern Oh Tae-hyun, Editing: Jung Hye-soo, Technical Support: Yoo Se-hoon, Cinematography: Jung Hoon, CG Design: Kim Tae-hwa, Music: Kim Ji-won)

(SBS SUBUSUNEWS)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.