South Korea's Constitutional Court has struck down a law requiring citizens to use their real names on websites, ruling that it restricts freedom of speech and undermines democracy. The eight judges unanimously voted against the 'internet real-name system', which had been in place since 2007.
The law required news media sites with more than 100,000 daily visitors to record the real identities of commenters, using resident registration numbers for verification. It was introduced to combat cyber-bullying and malicious comments, particularly those targeting celebrities with fabricated scandals.
However, the court found that the policy had driven users to overseas sites where they could remain anonymous, putting local services at a disadvantage. It also noted that the system had facilitated identity theft by cybercriminals. The judges argued that the public gains were not substantial enough to justify restrictions on free speech.
'Expressions under anonymity or pseudonym allow people to voice criticism on majority opinion without giving into external pressure,' the court stated. 'Even if there is a side effect to online anonymity, it should be strongly protected for its constitutional value.'
The ruling comes months after China ordered microblogging services to enforce real-name registration, citing concerns over 'unfounded rumours'. However, leading provider Sina has admitted difficulties in verifying user details.
