U.S. Alarmed by South Korea's New Internet Content Law

(MENAFN) Washington has raised alarm over South Korea's newly enacted internet content legislation, cautioning that the measure threatens American tech firms and could stifle free speech, media reported Thursday.

The State Department warned the legislative changes may create unwarranted obstacles for digital service providers while damaging the operating climate for US technology corporations, according to the report.

"The United States has significant concerns with the ROK (Republic of Korea) government's approval of an amendment to the Network Act that negatively impacts the business of US-based online platforms and undermines free expression," an unidentified State Department representative stated.

Washington's objections emerged following South Korea's Cabinet authorization of the Information and Communications Network Act amendment on Tuesday. The revision had previously cleared the National Assembly.

Seoul has not yet issued a statement addressing the American criticism.

The legislation seeks to curb the circulation of fraudulent and unlawful material on digital platforms that may trigger violence or discriminatory behavior.

Prior to the Cabinet's decision, US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers cautioned that the measure extends beyond addressing defamatory deepfakes and risks damaging bilateral technology partnerships.

"Deepfakes are understandably concerning, but it's better to give victims civil remedies than give regulators an invasive license for viewpoint-based censorship," Rogers posted on X on Tuesday.

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