Today, the internet has become an indispensable platform for communication, inseparable from the daily lives of modern people. It has established itself as a central hub for communities where people around the world share their thoughts and express diverse voices. In particular, social networking services (SNS) and various online communities provide spaces where people can freely express their opinions under anonymity, allowing them to conceal their identities. These platforms serve as active channels for open communication.
According to the Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA), the internet usage rate in Korea reached approximately 93.3% as of 2023, more than doubling from about 46.2% in 2000. However, as the number of internet users rapidly increases, so does the spread of misinformation, malicious comments, and defamation, based on anonymity. This trend contributes significantly to social conflict, causes serious mental harm to individuals, and undermines a reliable information environment.
The necessity of reintroducing the ‘Internet Real-Name System’ (IRNS) has been raised by the government to address these issues and enhance accountability on the internet. If implemented, the IRNS will require individuals to use their real names online, thereby holding them accountable for their expressions and preventing malicious comments and the spread of misinformation. However, there are also significant voices opposing its introduction.
Pros on the Introduction of the IRNS
By Lee Su-bin
As the digital age progress, the internet has become very essential in people's daily lives. However, within this framework of a convenient life, what is beneficial to us can sometimes act as a double-edged sword. The primary factor enabling internet crimes is anonymity. I support the introduction of the IRNS because anonymity facilitates internet use while also contributing to crime and harm.
First, the greatest advantage of introducing the IRNS is that it can deter cybercrime. Incidents like the Nth room scandal and deep-fake misuse are the most representative crimes that take advantage of internet anonymity. The IRNS can potentially help to prevent such crimes, including malicious comments, the spread of false information, cyberbullying, defamation, and personal, harm, by making it easier for victims to identify perpetrators and take legal action.
Implementing the IRNS may also help decrease information breaches. In July 2007, when the IRNS was first introduced, a study was conducted comparing malicious comments posted online for 20 days before and after its implementation. According to the results of the study, online slander decreased from 26.8% to 23.4%, while abusive comments which decreased from 5.1% to 2.1% (Source: Empirical study on the effects of the real-name system on internet bulletin boards. November 2009) This shows that the IRNS can have a substantial impact on online discourse.
Furthermore, enhancing the reliability of information online is another major benefit of the real-name system. Today, anyone is free to post whatever they want online, and some internet users are misled by unclear or intentionally false information. By implementing the IRNS, users would be held accountable for their statements, increasing the reliability of online information and indiscriminate harm. In addition, the IRNS can strengthen social responsibility, helping to foster a healthy internet culture.
Cons on the Introduction of the IRNS
By Jin Seol-yi
The effectiveness of the IRNS is unclear, but there exists a definite downside of its introduction, which is the suppression of freedom. As worries over online anonymity arise, some people have called for a return to the IRNS. However, the proposal to reintroduce the system still remains controversial. First, the implementation of the IRNS raises significant concerns about personal data security. On Sept. 7, 2023, Choi Moon-soon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in a press release that the “Restrictive Identification System” (commonly known as IRNS), first introduced in 2007, actually led to an increase in personal information leak incidents. According to the data disclosed by Representative Choi, the average annual number of personal information infringement reports, which had been increasing by 20% since 2005, surged to 53% after the introduction of the IRNS. This trend intensified when the scope of the IRNS was expanded in 2009. (Source: Bloter, ‘IRNS Increases Personal Information Leak Damage' September 7, 2010)
Furthermore, there is evidence that the IRNS can negatively impact the development of democracy by restricting freedom of expression. With the introduction of the IRNS, the number of discussions on political and social issues online has declined, making it difficult to address sensitive topics, including those related to social minorities and environmental issues. For these reasons, in 2012, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Restrictive Identification System is unconstitutional.
Implementing the IRNS will incur significant costs and infrastructure requirements, while the effectiveness of the system remains low in relation to these expenses. Additionally, since the internet is fundamentally a global platform with regulations that vary between countries, implementing the IRNS unique to Korea could go against international trends and possibly marginalize Korean users on global platforms. The IRNS cannot protect freedom of expression and individual rights. Therefore, we should search for new methods that respect these rights while promoting a healthy environment on the internet.
