In a post on Facebook, Lee announced the proposed amendment to the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, stating, "I have introduced the 'Cyber Blackmail Funding Cut-off Act.'"
He explained, "This amendment adds two key provisions: the confiscation of criminal profits from malicious exposure for profit upon conviction, and the prohibition of monetization of related content on platforms within 30 days after a conviction." He emphasized that the inclusion of platforms like YouTube in the provisions clearly indicates the bill's intent, stating, "This law is aimed solely at cyber blackmailers."
The proposed amendment allows for the confiscation of criminal profits in cases of defamation for profit that results in a conviction. It also mandates that large information and communication service providers, such as YouTube, block monetization of the related content within 30 days of a conviction.
Co-sponsors of the bill include lawmakers Cheon Ha-ram and Lee Joo-young from the Reform Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, Yoo I-dong, Kim Seung-soo, Choi Eun-seok, Lim Jong-deuk, Choi Hyung-doo, and Park Chung-kwon from the People Power Party.
Lee cited the so-called 'Tzuyang incident' as a backdrop for the bill's introduction. He remarked, "The Tzuyang incident serves as a case in point. Even when blackmailers are convicted for privacy violations and threats, if we cannot confiscate the profits from exposure content, they will continue to earn money. Even after serving time, if they still have profits, blackmailing remains a lucrative business."
He added, "This is why, during the Tzuyang incident, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok insisted on using all means necessary to confiscate criminal profits, as the current law lacks explicit grounds for recovering such profits."
Lee also asserted that this amendment differs from the so-called '7·7 Law,' which is a revision of the Information and Communications Network Act led by the ruling party under the pretext of addressing fake news, set to take effect on July 7.
Regarding the Cyber Blackmail Funding Cut-off Act, Lee stated, "Unlike censorship laws, this is unrelated to media reporting or allegations against powerful figures and politicians. It only applies when there is a conviction and a profit motive, meaning it does not affect most online content activities."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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