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Searches of emails, mobile messages double
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Activists protest alleged surveillance activities by law enforcement authorities targeting users of Kakao Talk, the country’s most popular mobile messenger, in front of the Daum Kakao office in Yongsan, Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
The number of police searches of e-mails and conversations on mobile messengers has nearly doubled under President Park Geun-hye, according to data from the National Police Agency Monday.
The information, presented by Rep. Park Nam-chun of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) during a National Assembly inspection session, showed that 1,099 searches were conducted during the first year of President Park’s administration, up 61 percent from the previous year. As of August this year, the number is already at 1,240, estimated to be almost twice that of last year during the same period.
Texts, e-mails, messenger services on both PC and mobile phones were subject to the searches.
The revelation comes amid growing public concern about surveillance activities by law enforcement authorities on Internet users.
Last month, Rep. Jung Jin-woo of the minor opposition Labor Party claimed that police asked for search warrants for his Kakao Talk communication history with 3,000 acquaintances from May 1 to June 10, and the court issued a warrant on June 17.
Jung claimed he was informed of the move three months after the search.
Strongly protesting to the police and the government, Jung, along with six human rights organization held a press conference on Oct, 1.
On Monday, Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn denied allegations that the government monitors messages exchanged on Kakao Talk without proper legal procedures.
“It is not true that (the government) monitors messages on a real-time basis,” the minister said in response to questions from opposition lawmakers during a National Assembly audit.
Kakao Talk users recently went on a so-called “digital migration,” quickly switching to other messenger applications to seek better protection. Germany-based Telegram, launched by a Russian-born entrepreneur, has suddenly become one of the most popular messenger apps in the local mobile market.
“Some 1.5 million users joined Telegram, which I have not even heard of,” said Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the NPAD. “It is all because the police and prosecution indiscriminately demand monitoring.”
“Telegram even recently showcased a Korean version of the application,” said Rep. Lim Nae-hyung of the same party.
In August, prosecutors launched a new task force, vowing strong action against anyone who spreads false information that could bring about “social confusion and discord,” making Kakao users worry about the privacy of their chats.
The prosecution’s move came just days after President Park lashed out at insulting remarks about her on the Internet, saying that such conduct hurts the stature of South Korea and its people.
Daum Kakao, the operator of Kakao Talk, said last Wednesday that it will introduce a safer privacy mode in an effort to dissipate the public concern.
Regarding the ongoing “cyberspace surveillance” matter, Kakao Talk co-CEO Lee Sir-goo will speak to lawmakers at an Assembly audit of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.