kakaotalk

How many accounts were restricted from KakaoTalk Chats, Profiles, Boards, Calendars and Team Chat Links because they were reported?

In order to respond to spams that are sent without the receiving individual’s consent, KakaoTalk enforces measures that temporarily restricts accounts, that have been reported by multiple users, from sending messages (Ensure Stability and Reliability > A Large Number of Reports Accumulated), and also prohibits the act of inviting other users to group chatroom in order to send spams (Ensure Stability and Reliability > Transmit Advertising Information for Commercial Purposes).

The above data contains the number of accounts that have been restricted from using the service following the reviewer’s review, the number of accounts that have been imposed with temporary messaging suspensions due to reports filed by other multiple users, and the number of accounts that have been restricted from using the service because they invited other users.

Why were accounts restricted from KakaoTalk Chats, Profiles, Boards, Calendars and Team Chat Links?

KakaoTalk offers the "Globe Signal", "Stranger Signal" and "Fake Signal" features to protect users from phishing crimes. Users’ reports and complaints are utilized to continuously analyze various fraud and impersonation patterns, such as impersonating family, friends, government or financial agencies, sextortion and romance scams, and to prepare guidelines which are used to respond to such frauds and impersonations (User Safety > Criminal Acts and Conspiracy).

However, there are cases where it is difficult to identify frauds and impersonations with reports alone. Additional measures, including the Fraud⋅Impersonation Reportopen a new window inquiry channel or requests from external agencies, such as the Korean National Police Agency, are implemented in these complex instances.

Kakao is taking strict measures against the act of sending illegal commercial advertising information via KakaoTalk(Ensure Stability and Reliability > Transmit advertising information for commercial purposes). To detect and address such abnormal activities, Kakao is continuously implementing various safeguards to reinforce logical security and prevent service abuse. Restrictions are imposed not only when spam is sent directly, but also when users invite others to group chat rooms to assist in sending spam, or when illegal spam is sent via SMS or other means to promote KakaoTalk profiles or chatrooms.

In addition, the use of KakaoTalk as a medium or means of communication for gambling and other games of chance or promoting gambling sites or services via KakaoTalk is strictly prohibited (User Safety > Criminal acts and conspiracy). If such gambling activities are confirmed through reports, access to the entire KakaoTalk service is immediately and permanently restricted.

Kakao aims to maintain fairness in the financial sector and protect users from attempted investment fraud by blocking unfair trading practices in financial markets. As part of this effort, Kakao strictly prohibits unlawful investment advising, providing investment information through illegal means, inducing investments, or promoting such services.

The following services are also strictly prohibited: Operating or promoting paid or free investment advising groups ("leading rooms") without registering as an investment advisory service; promoting cryptocurrency exchanges that are not registered as virtual asset service providers in Korea; inducing investment or transactions involving unlisted virtual assets; sharing false or exaggerated investment information or experiences; inviting users to investment advising groups; and engaging in unauthorized fundraising activities. (Illegal Products & Services > Quasi-Investment Advising)

Exposed male or female private parts (including in cartoons, illustrations, and other expressive materials), or contents that shows or depicts sexual activities while exposing male and/or female private parts, and documents or links that include such contents are all considered obscene information. Kakao immediately restricts accounts that share obscene information from using all KakaoTalk services (Objectionable or Sensitive Information > Information on Excessive Body Exposure and Sexual Activity).

How quickly were measures imposed on contents reported in KakaoTalk Chats, Profiles, Boards, Calendars and Team Chat Links?

Reported contents are quickly reviewed and handled by expert reviewers and our Automated Monitoring System. Kakao continues to make improvements to the system to quickly take action against accounts that violate policies and monitors the influx of reports to allocate the adequate number of operational staff. However, processing time may increase if there is an unexpected inflow of reports.