South Korea, on Tuesday, began enforcing a revised law targeting false information posted online, toughening penalties for repeat offenders despite concerns over the impact on free speech.
The law, which requires major platforms to set up new response systems, comes as concern grows in the country over digital misinformation, including high-profile cases involving celebrities.
But opposition politicians, civic groups and media experts warn it could chill free speech and open the door to government-influenced censorship.
The Asian tech powerhouse previously relied on general defamation laws and civil damage claims to address false information — without a clear legal framework targeting so-called fake news.
With the revision to the Information and Communications Network Act, it joins many countries trying to tackle the flood of falsehoods online that can have serious real-life consequences.
