Google Disables Uploads, Comments on YouTube Korea

Google has disabled user uploads and comments on the Korean version of its YouTube video portal in reaction to a new law that requires the real name of a contributor be listed along each contribution they make.

The rules, part of a Cyber Defamation Law, came into effect on April 1 for all sites with over 100,000 unique visitors per day. It requires that users provide their real name and national ID card number.

The authority expanded its scope of application on April 1st, YouTube Korea[K] was also added as one of the websites to which the act should be applied.

“In a surprise decision Thursday, Google blocked South Korean users from uploading videos and posting comments on YouTube’s Korean-language site in order to avoid government requirements for the real-name registration of users. Korean Internet users now have to submit their resident registration codes, the Korean equivalent of social security numbers, and names, before posting files or commenting on Web sites with more than 100,000 daily visitors, including YouTube. The new rules kicked in April 1, but Google had been refusing to enforce real-name verification for YouTube users, reluctant to bend its rules only for Korea,” reports KoreaTimes.