Korean forums/communities must now scan all images with AI censorship tools

Under the amended Telecommunications Business Act, operators of Korean internet communities and forums will be obligated to inspect all images and videos uploaded by users using AI.

Key details and issues:

• Obligations and timeline: The law must take effect immediately from July 1, requiring operators to implement the necessary hardware and software features right away.
• Cost and infrastructure burden: Since operators must purchase datacenter-grade hardware such as Nvidia GPUs on their own without government support, significant financial pressure is expected for small-scale operators and forums.
• Social controversy: As an extension of the 'Nth Room Prevention Act,' there is a sharp divide between the justification of securing social safety nets and concerns over infringement of freedom of expression.
• Technical concerns: Due to the tight preparation period and the forced purchase of specific solutions, there are warnings that dependency on certain commercial CMS (content management system) or AI vendors could deepen, potentially causing technological stagnation in the domestic IT ecosystem.