Experts Say "Real-time Search Rankings Are a Representative Internet Culture... Transparency Should Be Increased Rather Than Abolished"

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] As Naver has suspended the "Real-time Search Keywords (Rising Search Terms) service" during the election campaign period ahead of the general election, experts advised that Naver needs to transparently disclose the real-time search data.

At the web seminar titled "The First Week After the Disappearance of Real-time Search Keywords, What Has Changed?" hosted by Yonsei University's IT Policy Strategy Research Institute on the 8th, participating experts clearly opposed the abolition of real-time search keywords and emphasized that "Naver should actively make efforts to promote transparency and accountability."

Professor Jeong Yong-guk of Dongguk University said, "(I) fundamentally oppose (the abolition of real-time search keywords), but what needs to be viewed sensitively is the issue of 'manipulation' that the public is worried about," adding, "We cannot just leave it as is and must take measures. Naver should take a more proactive stance in explaining things like 'Naver does not accept certain things as real-time search keywords no matter how much they are uploaded.'

Professor Yoo Byung-jun of Seoul National University also stated, "Naver needs to clearly communicate that it is being transparent," and added, "Because Naver remains silent, people tend to think there is no transparency."

In response, Kim Yoo-won, leader of Naver Data Lab, explained, "There are various opinions within the company regarding transparency," and said, "Opinions range from fully disclosing everything to abolishing real-time search keywords. We need to consider and find ways to eliminate what makes people uncomfortable."

Experts unanimously agreed at the discussion that real-time search keywords should be maintained. Professor Lee Sang-woo of Yonsei University evaluated, "Although there are side effects, real-time search keywords have high informational value in disaster situations and have already established themselves as a major cultural playground." Professor Yoo added, "It is a representative culture of the Korean internet and can be considered an 'intangible cultural asset,' so I question whether it should be abolished every time a certain group expresses dissatisfaction," and said, "If there are negative aspects, they should be addressed through improvements."