Naver to Implement Measures Against News Comment Manipulation from April 29: "Detects Sudden Surge in Likes"

Notification to Users Upon Detection of 'Targeted Mobilization'
Media Outlets Also Informed... Comment Sorting Method Can Be Changed

Naver will notify media outlets and allow them to change the comment sorting method if it detects 'targeted mobilization' activities, where groups post comments en masse to sway public opinion on portal news articles.

On April 28, Naver announced to its partner media outlets that it would introduce a new feature in the Smart Content Studio on April 29, which will notify news organizations when there is a sudden surge in user reactions within the comment section.

This feature will detect within 24 hours if a particular comment receives a sudden spike in likes or dislikes beyond a certain threshold, and will notify users through a separate message within the news service.

Media outlets partnered with Naver will have the authority to change the comment sorting method for articles suspected of 'targeted mobilization.' Naver explained, "The list of detected articles can be checked in the newly revamped comment menu, and each media outlet can directly adjust the comment sorting method if it deems it necessary."

Naver added, "Any article where likes or dislikes on specific comments increase rapidly will be detected based on set criteria," and clarified, "This feature is currently in beta, but we plan to further refine the detection criteria and continue to expand and develop the service."

Earlier, on April 18, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon appeared before the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee and, in response to questions about countermeasures for 'targeted mobilization' on Naver News, stated, "We are aware of the issue where designated comments see a sudden surge in likes, and we are deeply concerned that we have not been able to address it technically in advance."

Lee Jeongkyu, head of Naver's Integrated Service Operations Support, also stated during a previous committee inquiry, "If malicious comment abuse traffic, such as 'targeted mobilization' or view count manipulation, is detected, we are working to promptly relay this information to media outlets so they can make decisions according to their operational policies, and we are expediting improvements to this feature."