Government Tightens Grip on Illegal Spam: Blocking Invalid Numbers and Overseas Messages

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) announced on August 14 that they held the 6th plenary meeting of the "Public-Private Consultative Body for Illegal Spam Response" in Seoul to review the implementation status of comprehensive measures and discuss future policy directions.

The meeting was attended by some 50 officials, including representatives from the Personal Information Protection Commission, the Korean National Police Agency, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), the three major mobile carriers (SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus), Samsung Electronics, and Kakao.

During the meeting, the progress of the "Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Illegal Spam" pursued since late 2024 was shared.

The MSIT requested the implementation of the "Illegal Spam Invalid Number Blocking System," which blocks bulk text messages sent from invalid numbers, and called for improvements in blocking overseas-originated spam through cooperation with foreign messaging service providers.

It also urged strengthened management and supervision of domestic and international text message intermediaries regarding bulk text-sending clients.

The KCC explained the key details of the Enforcement Decree and relevant notices of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, current status of spam reports, and plans to enhance the sharing of illegal spam originating numbers, encouraging active participation from businesses.

It also requested the reinforcement of artificial intelligence (AI)-based spam filtering and inter-business linkages.

Mobile carriers and other companies presented their respective efforts to prevent illegal spam and discussed changes in the policy environment and response measures.

In particular, the three mobile carriers and Kakao stated that ahead of the Chuseok holiday in September, they will step up user caution notices and spam blocking to prevent damages.

Shin Young-kyu, Director General for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Users Policy at the KCC, said, "The KCC will swiftly finalize relevant institutional improvements so that citizens can safely enjoy digital media services without worrying about illegal spam."

Nam Seok, Director General for Network Policy at the MSIT, stated, "Through the invalid number blocking system and measures to improve overseas spam blocking discussed today, we will redouble our efforts to eradicate illegal spam."

Launched in December 2024, the public-private consultative body reviews the fulfillment of illegal spam blocking obligations among businesses and operates a joint response system against illegal activities.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.