Users will be able to directly report false or Director advertisements and omissions in contracts by some mobile carriers and retailers when guidance on device subsidies does not match reality.
From now on, device users will be able to directly report false or Director advertisements and omissions in contracts by some mobile carriers and retailers.
The Korea Media and Communications Commission said on the 26th it will implement a "user participation reporting system" to prevent user harm and protect rights and interests related to false or Director advertisements about device subsidy guidance and failures to comply with required contract disclosures.
Reports can cover user harm cases such as: ◇ mismatches in subsidy guidance, including paying differently from the advertisement; ◇ failure to provide a contract; ◇ failure to state device subsidies and subsidy payment conditions in the contract; ◇ inducing subscriptions to high-priced plans and unfair enrollment in add-on services; ◇ mismatches in retailer information for visits and activations.
According to the Telecommunications Business Act (Article 32-15), mobile carriers and retailers must clearly state in the contract all matters related to device subsidies and payment conditions, and must distinguish and specify in the contract the discount amount applied under a mobile service commitment and any add-on services when contracting with users.
The reporting system will be implemented to coincide with the launch of Samsung Electronics' new device "Galaxy S26." As user harm has been repeatedly caused by false or Director advertisements at each new device launch, the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) made efforts such as on-site inspections of retailers with related organizations including Korea Information & Communication Promotion Association (KAIT) and Korea Communications Users Protection Association (KCUP), but there were some limits, so it sought to supplement these through participation by users who actually activate phones.
Users can file reports on the Korea Communications Users Protection Association's "user participation reporting system" website starting on Mar. 3, during the preorder period (Feb. 27–Mar. 5) for Samsung Electronics' new device "Galaxy S26." If a violation is confirmed, the reporter will receive a set reward (up to 200,000 won per year, maximum four cases per person).
Following last year's repeal of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, the focus shifted from excessive payment of device subsidies to improving false or Director advertisements and complying with required contract disclosures.
KMCC Chair Kim Jong-cheol said, "Voluntary participation by users is needed to quickly detect illicit or irregular practices in the device market," adding, "It will be an important opportunity to lay the foundation for a sound distribution environment."