Phone with 'Chalkak' Sound to Prevent Hidden Cameras...Will It Be Abolished Amid Overregulation Controversy?

Existing 60~68dB → Possible Silence Afterwards
85.6% Support "Regulation Ineffective"

The 'click' sound made when taking photos with a mobile phone may disappear in the future.

On the 5th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced the results of a survey showing that an overwhelming majority of the public supports the option to disable the shutter sound when taking photos or videos on mobile phones. The survey results will be delivered to the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association, a private ICT standardization organization.

The regulation mandating the forced shutter sound on mobile phones was introduced in May 2004 to prevent illegal filming. According to this regulation, a sound of 60 to 68 decibels must be emitted when starting to take photos or videos with a mobile phone. The shutter sound plays regardless of whether the phone is in vibration or silent mode, and users cannot disable it by changing settings.

However, criticism has continued that this regulation is an excessive restriction that causes inconvenience to users and is ineffective in preventing illegal filming. Only Korea and Japan have implemented this regulation.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission pointed out that with the advancement of zoom camera technology, it has become possible to take photos from a distance with a mobile phone, and that users can bypass the forced shutter sound regulation by installing silent camera apps, raising questions about the regulation’s effectiveness.

They also noted that over 5,000 cases of illegal filming are detected annually, and there are concerns that removing the forced shutter sound regulation could increase illegal filming. There are also arguments that silent camera apps and direct purchases of overseas mobile phones should be regulated.

85.6% Support "Because it causes inconvenience in daily life"

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To gauge public opinion on this regulation, the Commission conducted an online survey through the government’s public opinion collection website 'Gukmin Saenggakham' from the 23rd of last month to the 5th of this month.

As of 4 p.m. on the 5th, 3,683 people participated, and 3,151 (85.6%) supported allowing users to change their mobile phone settings to disable the shutter sound. Supporters cited reasons such as "it causes inconvenience in daily life," "the regulation is ineffective," "it is an outdated rule," and "shutter sound settings are the user's inherent right." Opponents numbered 532 (14.4%).

Additionally, 82.7% were aware that most countries except Korea and Japan do not have regulations mandating shutter sounds, and 85.4% reported having experienced inconvenience due to the shutter sound.

Respondents gave examples such as "it is inconvenient when taking necessary photos in places requiring silence like libraries and art galleries," "when filming for reporting purposes, the sound can reveal the filming and cause conflict with the reported party," "it is inconvenient when photographing in households with infants or pets sensitive to sound," and "the shutter sound reduces concentration in places requiring focus such as classrooms and sports venues."

Although the Ministry of Information and Communication (now the Ministry of Science and ICT) was involved in introducing this regulation, it was adopted voluntarily by the private sector. Therefore, the government cannot force the private sector to abolish this regulation now. Accordingly, the Commission will not recommend abolishing the regulation but will deliver the online survey results to the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association to encourage voluntary repeal of the regulation.