2020 Korean YouTube backdoor advertising controversy: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Undisclosed advertising by Korean YouTubers}}
{{Copy edit|for=semantics and overall word choice, since largely written by non-native English speakers|date=June 2021}}
The '''2020 Korean YouTube backdoor advertising controversy''' refers to the practice of undisclosed or 'backdoor' advertising by Korean [[YouTube]]rs and [[Internet celebrity|internet celebrities]], involving the promotion of products without the disclosure of a [[Sponsor (commercial)|paid partnership]] with the suppliers of these products. The discovery of this practice led to widespread controversy and the eventual involvement of the South Korean [[Fair Trade Commission (South Korea)|Fair Trade Commission]], which imposed strict regulations on [[social media]] providers in a major crackdown. The incident also prompted calls for similar regulation in other countries, such as the United States and Japan.
== The beginningBeginning of the controversy ==
[[File:180331 Kang Min-kyung at Incheon International Airport (2) (cropped).jpg|thumb| Kang Min-kyung at [[Incheon International Airport]]]]
TheOn back advertisement controversy started with stylist Han Hye-yeon (한혜연). On15 July 15th2020, a media called Dispatch, investigateda celebrities'Korean YouTubemedia back advertisementsorganisation, thereported resultthat beingprominent thatKorean manyinternet celebrities such as Han Hye-yeon (한혜연), and [[Kang Min-kyung|Kang Min-kyung (강민경)]] were receivinginvolved in the process of undisclosed or 'backdoor' advertising, where products were promoted without informingthe disclosure theirof a paid viewerspartnership.<ref>{{Cite web|lastlast1=기자|firstfirst1=김지호,지호 송수민|last2=송 |first2=수민|date=2020-07-15|title=[단독] "내돈내산? 남돈내산!"…강민경·한혜연, 유튜브 장사의 실체|trans-title=[Exclusive] "I gave my money and I bought it? Like I bought it with other money!"... Kang Min-kyung and Han Hye-yeon, the reality of YouTube business.|url=https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2091447|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722011214/https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2091447 |archive-date=2020-07-22 |access-date=2020-10-28|website=디스패치|language=korean}}</ref> Kang She, who produced a video titled "I gave my money and bought it,<nowiki>''</nowiki>Min-kyung was heardrevealed to have receivedbeen promoting products worth tens of thousands of dollars which were featured in several videos without disclosingrevealing that these videos were sponsored.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=한상범상범|date=2020-08-19|title='대국민 사기극' 뒷광고의 세계|trans-title=The world of the back advertisement for “People"People's Scam”Scam"|url=http://www.ilyosisa.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=221177|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918104319/http://www.ilyosisa.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=221177 |archive-date=2020-09-18 |access-date=2020-09-28|website=일요시사|language=korean}}</ref> HoweverBoth figures later publicly apologised for their actions<ref>{{Cite web|last=최 |first=보란|date=2020-07-17|title=한혜연, it고개 was숙여 controversial사과 because"혼란 드려 죄송...질타 마음에 새기겠다"(공식)|trans-title=Han Hye-yeon bows his head and apologizes "Sorry for the confusion... I'll keep it didin notmind displayfor paidcriticism" advertisements(Official)|url=https://www.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_202007171212292882|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917181304/https://www.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_202007171212292882 on|archive-date=2020-09-17 YouTube|access-date=2020-09-29|website=[[YTN]]|language=korean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite videosweb|date=2020-07-17|title=강민경, PPL 논란 사과 {{!}} 보그 코리아 (Vogue Korea)|trans-title=Kang Min-kyung, PPL apologizes for controversy.|url=http://www.vogue.co.kr/2020/07/17/%ea%b0%95%eb%af%bc%ea%b2%bd-ppl-%eb%85%bc%eb%9e%80-%ec%82%ac%ea%b3%bc/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806092717/http://www.vogue.co.kr/2020/07/17/%EA%B0%95%EB%AF%BC%EA%B2%BD-ppl-%EB%85%BC%EB%9E%80-%EC%82%AC%EA%B3%BC/ |archive-date=2020-08-06 |access-date=2020-09-29|website=Vogue Korea|language=korean}}</ref> following major controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=고재완재완|date=2020-07-16|title='내돈내산'의 역습…강민경X한혜연 PPL논란→비난으로 끝내선 안되는 이유|trans-title=Kang Min-kyung X Han Hye-yeon PPL controversy → The reason why criticism should not end|url=https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=202007170100161160010864&servicedate=20200716|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101033925/https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=202007170100161160010864&servicedate=20200716 |archive-date=2021-11-01 |access-date=2020-11-02|website=스포츠조선[[Sports Chosun]]|language=korean}}</ref>
 
Subsequently, prominent figures such as singer Kang Min-gyeong (강민경) and YouTuber 'Charm PD' (참피디) also revealed their involvement in this practice. The latter would also publicly reveal that several other prominent Korean YouTubers were similarly involved, which served to greatly increase the scale of the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=김 |first=민지|date=2020-08-08|title=유튜브 뒷광고가 도대체 뭐길래?|trans-title=What is the YouTube back ad?|url=http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20200808000017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810021824/http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20200808000017 |archive-date=2020-08-10 |access-date=2020-11-02|website=헤럴드경제|language=korean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=김 |first=현덕|date=2020-07-21|title="참PD 입니다. 유튜버 광고 생태계에 대해 폭로하겠습니다"|trans-title=This is Charm PD. I will expose the YouTube advertising system.|url=https://www.wikitree.co.kr/articles/554223|access-date=2020-09-28|website=위키트리|language=korean}}</ref>
[[YouTube]] back [[Advertising|advertisements]] are false advertisements in which celebrities and [[List of YouTubers|YouTubers]] introduce products as if they were purchased, even though they received advertisement fees from companies. This is because subscribers trust more of the reviews in which they have purchased and used, rather than publicly paid and publicized advertisements.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=김송이|date=2020-08-06|title='내돈내산' 제품이라더니 결국엔 '협찬'… 유튜브 달구는 '뒷광고' 논란|trans-title=It’s a product that I bought with my money, and eventually “sponsor”… "YouTube's back advertisement" controversy|url=https://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/08/05/2020080503551.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-02|website=조선비즈|language=korean}}</ref>
== The beginning of the controversy ==
[[File:180331 Kang Min-kyung at Incheon International Airport (2) (cropped).jpg|thumb| Kang Min-kyung at Incheon International Airport]]
The back advertisement controversy started with stylist Han Hye-yeon (한혜연). On July 15th, a media called Dispatch investigated celebrities' YouTube back advertisements, the result being that many celebrities such as Han Hye-yeon (한혜연), [[Kang Min-kyung|Kang Min-kyung (강민경)]] were receiving products without informing their viewers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=김지호, 송수민|date=2020-07-15|title=[단독] "내돈내산? 남돈내산!"…강민경·한혜연, 유튜브 장사의 실체|trans-title=[Exclusive] "I gave my money and I bought it? Like I bought it with other money!"... Kang Min-kyung and Han Hye-yeon, the reality of YouTube business.|url=https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2091447|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-28|website=디스패치|language=korean}}</ref> She, who produced a video titled "I gave my money and bought it,<nowiki>''</nowiki> was heard to have received products worth tens of thousands of dollars which were featured in several videos without disclosing that these videos were sponsored.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=한상범|date=2020-08-19|title='대국민 사기극' 뒷광고의 세계|trans-title=The world of the back advertisement for “People's Scam”|url=http://www.ilyosisa.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=221177|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-28|website=일요시사|language=korean}}</ref> However, it was controversial because it did not display paid advertisements on YouTube videos.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=고재완|date=2020-07-16|title='내돈내산'의 역습…강민경X한혜연 PPL논란→비난으로 끝내선 안되는 이유|trans-title=Kang Min-kyung X Han Hye-yeon PPL controversy → The reason why criticism should not end|url=https://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=202007170100161160010864&servicedate=20200716|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-02|website=스포츠조선|language=korean}}</ref>
On July 17th, two days after the controversy was reported, Han Hye-yeon (한혜연) posted a video of an apology for the hidden advertisement controversy on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=최보란|date=2020-07-17|title=한혜연, 고개 숙여 사과 "혼란 드려 죄송...질타 마음에 새기겠다"(공식)|trans-title=Han Hye-yeon bows his head and apologizes "Sorry for the confusion... I'll keep it in mind for criticism" (Official)|url=https://www.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_202007171212292882|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-29|website=YTN|language=korean}}</ref>
 
== Impact on YouTubers ==
Subsequently, singer Kang Min-gyeong (강민경) was also found to have been included products on some of her videos without disclosing that they were sponsored. Two days after the controversy, on July 17th, Kang Min-kyung left a post on Instagram and apologized.<ref>{{Cite web|last=에디터|first=오기쁨|date=2020-07-17|title=강민경, PPL 논란 사과 {{!}} 보그 코리아 (Vogue Korea)|trans-title=Kang Min-kyung, PPL apologizes for controversy.|url=http://www.vogue.co.kr/2020/07/17/%ea%b0%95%eb%af%bc%ea%b2%bd-ppl-%eb%85%bc%eb%9e%80-%ec%82%ac%ea%b3%bc/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Vogue Korea|language=korean}}</ref> In addition, on July 21st, YouTuber 'Charm PD'(참피디) revealed several YouTubers who were receiving products without informing their viewers in his video. The controversy over the hidden advertisements spread from entertainers to YouTubers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=김민지|date=2020-08-08|title=유튜브 뒷광고가 도대체 뭐길래?|trans-title=What is the YouTube back ad?|url=http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20200808000017|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-02|website=헤럴드경제|language=korean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=김현덕|date=2020-07-21|title="참PD 입니다. 유튜버 광고 생태계에 대해 폭로하겠습니다"|trans-title=This is Charm PD. I will expose the YouTube advertising system.|url=https://www.wikitree.co.kr/articles/554223|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-28|website=위키트리 {{!}} 세상을 깨우는 재미진 목소리|language=korean}}</ref></blockquote>
 
YouTubers such as [[mukbang]] food reviewers Tzuyang (쯔양), Embro (엠브로), Moon Bok-hee (문복희), and Hamji (햄지) publicly apologised for their actions by admitting to their use of undisclosed advertising.<ref>{{Cite web|last=김 |first=자아|date=2020-08-05|title=참피디 '뒷광고 폭로'에…수백만 유튜버들 줄줄이 '사과'|trans-title=Charm PD's 'back advertisement exposure'... Millions of YouTubers line up'Apologized'|url=https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020080514151393611|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809093819/https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020080514151393611 |archive-date=2020-08-09 |access-date=2020-09-29|website=Money Today|language=korean}}</ref> However, this failed to improve public opinion, and led to significant losses in popularity among those involved,<ref>{{Cite web|last=정 |first=지원|date=5 August 2020|title="믿을 놈 하나 없네" 문복희,나름,쯔양,상윤쓰, 뒷광고 논란에 '여론 철퇴'|trans-title="There is no one to believe" 'criticism of public opinion' in controversy behind advertisement|url=http://www.joynews24.com/view/1287917|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027054823/http://www.joynews24.com/view/1287917 |archive-date=2020-10-27 |access-date=2020-09-29|website=joynews24|language=korean}}</ref> with one YouTuber losing 96% of their viewership in a month.<ref>{{Cite web|last=노 |first=윤주|date=|title=구독자·조회수 급락한 유튜버들…9월부터 뒷광고 사라질까?|trans-title=YouTubers who have plunged in subscribers and views... Will back advertisements disappear from September?|url=https://decenter.kr/NewsView/1Z6Q9ZT0OP|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Decenter|language=korean}}</ref> Some YouTubers stopped uploading videos altogether, and announced their retirement from YouTube as a result of the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=성 |first=소의|date=14 August 2020|title=꺼지지 않는 '뒷광고' 논란... 업계 떠나는 유튜버들|trans-title=Controversy about'back advertisement' that never ends... YouTubers leaving the industry|url=http://www.polinews.co.kr/news/article.html?no=471842|access-date=2020-11-04|website=폴리뉴스|language=korean}}</ref>
== The result of YouTubers related to the back advertisement ==
 
== Legal regulation ==
Food reviewing YouTubers such as Tzuyang (쯔양), Embro (엠브로), Moon Bok-hee (문복희), and Hamji (햄지) posted an apology every day and admitted they've also performed 'back advertisements' on several on their videos. On August 4th, a video titled "I'll tell you about the advertising issue" was posted on Tzuyang's (쯔양) YouTube channel, the video containing an apology stating, "There are some videos that have not been marked with advertisements," and "I am sorry for being ignorant in the beginning." Hamji, who has 3.7 million subscribers, posted an apology regarding the controversy over the hidden advertisements through the YouTube channel community on August 3, confirming that the videos that were advertisements were missing, and said that she edited the video by entering 'paid advertisement' in the more information section of the video. One day after, YouTuber Moon Bok-hee, who has 4.7 million subscribers, apologized through her YouTube channel community, saying, "There is some dishonest part of displaying advertisements." Moon Bok-hee announced that she had omitted the advertisement by marking the advertisement as a sponsor or by providing different information in 'More' and 'Comment' sections of their channel. On the 5th, Mbro posted a post on his YouTube channel saying, "I apologize for the back advertisement." He has been vaguely displaying advertisements through 'more' and 'comment'. In response, Ambro admitted to his fault, saying, "I deceived the viewer." Other exposed YouTubers posted apology videos.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=김자아|date=2020-08-05|title=참피디 '뒷광고 폭로'에…수백만 유튜버들 줄줄이 '사과'|trans-title=Charm PD's 'back advertisement exposure'... Millions of YouTubers line up'Apologized'|url=https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020080514151393611|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-29|website=머니투데이|language=korean}}</ref>
However, their subscribers showed a cold reaction to the hidden advertisements in some of their videos. Most of the YouTubers all at once added comments to several of their videos, clarifying that it was a paid advertisement, and tried to correct the situation, but public opinion did not subside.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=정지원|date=|title="믿을 놈 하나 없네" 문복희,나름,쯔양,상윤쓰, 뒷광고 논란에 '여론 철퇴'|trans-title="There is no one to believe" 'criticism of public opinion' in controversy behind advertisement|url=http://www.joynews24.com/view/1287917|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-29|website=joynews24|language=korean}}</ref>
 
The growing scale of the controversy led to the official involvement of the South Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC).<ref>{{Cite web|last=윤 |first=지혜|date=2020-09-24|title=인플루언서, 공정위 만나 '뒷광고' 근절 약속|trans-title=Influencer meets Fair Trade Commission and promises to eradicate 'back advertisements'|url=http://www.inews24.com/view/1302217|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014032313/http://inews24.com/view/1302217 |archive-date=2020-10-14 |access-date=2020-11-04|website=inews24|language=korean}}</ref> On August 24 2020, Chairman of the FTC Cho Seong-wook met with prominent individuals and internet celebrities at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the [[Jung District, Seoul|Jung District]] of Seoul, which resulted in the implementation of strict regulations on social media platforms (including YouTube) in order to crack down on the practice of 'backdoor' advertising.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=강 |first=종민|date=2020-09-24|title='뒷광고' 논란 후 유튜버 만난 조성욱 "적응 기간 이후 법 엄정 집행"|trans-title=Jo Sung-wook meets YouTuber after'back advertisement' controversy "Strict law enforcement after adaptation period"|url=https://www.newsis.com/view/?id=NISX20200924_0001178211|access-date=2020-09-29|website=[[Newsis]]|language=korean}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=이 |first=요훈|date=2020-09-28|title=유튜브 뒤흔든 '뒷광고'…"앞으로 유료 광고 정확히 표기"|trans-title=YouTube'back advertisement' controversy... "In the future, paid advertisements are accurately marked"|url=https://science.ytn.co.kr/program/program_view.php?s_mcd=0082&key=202009281653335141|access-date=2020-09-29|website=YTN 사이언스|language=korean}}</ref> These regulations did not immediately come into effect, but were instead enforced after a certain period of time, in order to allow affected individuals time to comply.<ref name=":0" />
The number of subscribers for YouTubers affected by the controversy who have continued broadcasting have decreased significantly. In the case of Mukbang YouTuber A, on August 3rd, before the controversy, their highest number of subscribers reached 4.7 million. However, after the controversy, 370,000 subscribers left by the 25th. Mukbang YouTuber B, who boasted 1.69 million subscribers, had their subscribers decreased to 1.25 million. On August 6th, just after the controversy, the number of views recorded 1.95 million, an increase of 1.32 million compared to the previous month, but on the 25th, it was only 32,489, a 96% decrease from the previous year. Although the number of subscribers remains unchanged, there are cases where the number of views has plummeted. YouTuber C had 3.77 million subscribers on August 4th, but the number of subscribers on the 25th increased to 3.9 million. However, the number of views fell sharply. On the 2nd, before the controversy, when Mr. C uploaded a new video, the number of views increased by 39% to 5.16 million. On the 24th, after the controversy, even though a new video was posted, it was only 3.71 million, a 4% increase from the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=노윤주|date=|title=구독자·조회수 급락한 유튜버들…9월부터 뒷광고 사라질까?|trans-title=YouTubers who have plunged in subscribers and views... Will back advertisements disappear from September?|url=https://decenter.kr/NewsView/1Z6Q9ZT0OP|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Decenter|language=korean}}</ref>
 
The regulations required internet celebrities to clearly disclose instances of advertising and paid sponsorships as well as associated payments, and prohibited ambiguous phrases such as 'experience group' and 'thanks to'. Contravention of these regulations would be met by significant legal and financial penalties, including up to two years in prison and fines of up to 150 million won. Although these laws were typically applied to business owners, internet celebrities were considered as such and were therefore subject to the same treatment under South Korean law.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=차 |first=지연|date=2020-08-12|title=9월부터 유튜브 '뒷광고' 금지…공정위 "계도기간 후 처벌"|trans-title=YouTube'back advertisement' banned from September... Fair Trade Commission "penalties after the transition period"|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200811153200002|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812164454/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200811153200002 |archive-date=2020-08-12 |access-date=2020-11-04|website=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|language=korean}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
Some YouTubers quit broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=성소의|date=|title=꺼지지 않는 '뒷광고' 논란... 업계 떠나는 유튜버들|trans-title=Controversy about'back advertisement' that never ends... YouTubers leaving the industry|url=http://www.polinews.co.kr/news/article.html?no=471842|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-04|website=폴리뉴스|language=korean}}</ref> Mookbang YouTuber Tzuyang, who has 2.68 million subscribers, announced her retirement, saying, “I will not be doing any more broadcasting activities” due to the controversy regarding hidden advertisements. On the morning of the 6th, Tzuyang posted a video and a post saying 'I will finish the YouTube broadcast' through her YouTube broadcast. Tzuyang recently apologized for several times when controversy over the “back advertisement” that did not mark it even though it was broadcast using advertising expenses and sponsorship products arose. She also said, "I will never come back", saying that she was tired of the comment culture spreading false information.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=김진선|date=2020-08-06|title='뒷광고' 논란, 먹방 유튜버 쯔양 '방송활동 안하겠다, 악플에 지쳐'|trans-title='Back advertisement' controversy, eating YouTuber Ziyang(쯔양)'I will not broadcast, I am tired of bad comments'|url=https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1Z6H2J6VVD/GL0106|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-29|website=서울경제|language=korean}}</ref>
 
== ExamplesImpact fromon other countries ==
== Aftermath ==
 
AsThe strict response by the controversySouth Korean FTC prompted calls for similar measures grewabroad, with the government[[Federal metTrade withCommission]] YouTubersof andthe United States heldissuing a meetingstatement toin preventFebruary hidden2021 advertisementscalling for the implementation of similar regulations.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|lastlast1=기자|firstfirst1=선영 |last2=장 |first2=윤지혜주영|date=2020-0908-2413|title=인플루언서, 공정위 만나 '뒷광고' 근절유튜버만 약속잘못? 미국, 플랫폼도 처벌 추진|trans-title=InfluencerOnly'back meetsadvertisement' FairYouTubers Tradeare Commissionwrong? andU.S. promisesplatforms toalso eradicate'backpush advertisement'for penalties|url=httphttps://wwwnews.inews24joins.com/viewarticle/130221723847455|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812180625/https://news.joins.com/article/23847455 |archive-date=2020-08-12 |access-date=2020-1110-0429|website=inews24[[JoongAng Ilbo]]|language=korean}}</ref> TheLegislative [[Fairbodies Tradein Commission (South Korea)|Fair Trade Commission]], YouTubersJapan and MCNFrance companiespassed attendedsimilar there. On August 24measures, 2020, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, Cho Seong-wook, met with theoffenders MCNin industry andFrance influencersfacing at the Chamberpenalties of Commerceup andto Industrytwo years in Jung-gu, Seoul,prison and heldfines aof 'Conversationup to Prevent300,000 Unfaireuros.<ref>{{Cite Advertisingweb|last=박 on|first=광연|date=2020-08-11|title=유튜브 Social Network Service (SNS)'.뒷광고' This뿌리 event뽑기…자진 was시정 set우선, up규제 to입법 ensure that the MCN industry and influencers expressed their will to comply with the issue of추진|trans-title=Rooting YouTube'back advertisement (unfair advertisement on SNS)advertisements'... andPrioritize thatvoluntary theycorrection, wouldpromote notregulatory repeat the same controversylegislation|url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=202008111635001&code=920100|access-date=2020-10-29|website=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]]|language=korean}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=기자|first=강종민은이|date=2020-0908-2428|title=규제 사각지대 '뒷광고' 논란 후 유튜버 만난 조성욱 "적응 기간 이후 법 엄정 집행"|trans-title=JoControversy Sung-wookover meetsregulatory YouTuberblind afterspot'back advertisement' controversy "Strict law enforcement after adaptation period"|url=https://www.newsishankyung.com/vieweconomy/?id=NISX20200924_0001178211article/2020082886411|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828184106/https://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/2020082886411 |archive-date=2020-08-28 |access-date=2020-0910-29|website=newsis한국경제|language=korean}}</ref>
 
The Fair Trade Commission issued guidelines related to back advertisements. In accordance with the revision of the guidelines for reviewing display advertisements on recommendation guarantees, etc., advertisement display guidelines for postings and posted videos have been applied not only to power bloggers, but also to Instagram and YouTube influencers <ref>{{Cite web|last=IT 칼럼니스트|first=이요훈|date=2020-09-28|title=유튜브 뒤흔든 '뒷광고'…"앞으로 유료 광고 정확히 표기"|trans-title=YouTube'back advertisement' controversy... "In the future, paid advertisements are accurately marked"|url=https://science.ytn.co.kr/program/program_view.php?s_mcd=0082&key=202009281653335141|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-29|website=YTN 사이언스|language=korean}}</ref> In addition, it was announced that rather than immediately entering into regulation, after a certain period of guidance, the management and supervision would be conducted through a separate monitoring manpower. An official of the Fair Trade Commission said on September 12, "There are many cases of unintentional violations of the law because they do not know the contents of the revised guidelines for review." He said, “We plan to have a period of instruction first.” He added, "However, if there is a case that repeatedly violates the law or suspects intentionality even after sufficiently promoting it, we will punish it." The revised bill contains content that requires social media influencers to clearly disclose phrases such as 'received sponsorship' and 'this is an advertisement' when posting content such as product reviews and so on. In accordance with the amendment, influencers should write down the content that they 'received economically' when uploading content in a location where consumers can easily find it, using an appropriate font size and color. Ambiguous phrases such as 'experience group' and 'Thanks to' are prohibited. YouTube content should include a phrase at the beginning or end of the post title or video to indicate that it has received an economic price. On Instagram, you must display the content of the economic consideration in the picture. When the photo and the body are linked so that consumers can easily recognize it, they can be displayed in the first part of the body or the first hashtag. In addition, a penalty of 2% or less or 500 million won or less of related sales or revenue is imposed on businesses that advertise unfairly. If the prosecution measures are taken, they could face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 150 million won. The term 'business owner' here usually means an advertiser who requested an advertisement, but the Fair Trade Commission believes that it is possible to punish influencers who have earned considerable profits as 'business owners.' <ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=차지연|date=2020-08-12|title=9월부터 유튜브 '뒷광고' 금지…공정위 "계도기간 후 처벌"|trans-title=YouTube'back advertisement' banned from September... Fair Trade Commission "penalties after the transition period"|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200811153200002|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-04|website=연합뉴스|language=korean}}</ref>
 
== Examples from other countries ==
 
When the controversy over the back advertising of influencers arose abroad, each country began taking action to end such activities. In the United States, as the controversy over the “back advertisement” of influencers continues, there is a discussion that not only advertisers but also platforms should be punished. [[Rohit Chopra]], a standing member of the [[Federal Trade Commission]] of the United States, issued a statement in February that "we need to create a bill that will hold social media platforms and advertisers that are benefiting enormously from influencer marketing."<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=하선영, 장주영|date=2020-08-13|title='뒷광고' 유튜버만 잘못? 미국, 플랫폼도 처벌 추진|trans-title=Only'back advertisement' YouTubers are wrong? U.S. platforms also push for penalties|url=https://news.joins.com/article/23847455|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-29|website=중앙일보|language=korean}}</ref> According to the legislative investigation office of the [[National Diet]] in Japan, the focus is on self-regulation, such as making guidelines in the private sector.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=박광연|date=2020-08-11|title=유튜브 '뒷광고' 뿌리 뽑기…자진 시정 우선, 규제 입법 추진|trans-title=Rooting YouTube'back advertisements'... Prioritize voluntary correction, promote regulatory legislation|url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=202008111635001&code=920100|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-29|website=경향신문|language=korean}}</ref> In France, influencers who advertise behind the scenes are also fined up to two years in prison or 300,000 euros, while in Belgium, the authorities can forcibly delete advertising videos without advertising marks, along with fines up to 80,000 euros.<ref>{{Cite web|last=기자|first=고은이|date=2020-08-28|title=규제 사각지대 '뒷광고' 논란|trans-title=Controversy over regulatory blind spot'back advertisement'|url=https://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/2020082886411|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-29|website=한국경제|language=korean}}</ref>
 
== References ==
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