Alternative Solution

 

As Daum Kakao declared that it will not comply with wiretapping warrants, the prosecution suffered a major setback in its investigation. Therefore, it is considering whether to administer wiretapping warrants by visiting Daum Kakao with eavesdropping equipment.

“Wiretapping warrants are enforced in the case of murder, abduction, and violation of the National Security Law,” remarked Kim Su-nam, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office on Oct. 19. He continued by saying, “Due to Daum Kakao's decision to disobey wiretapping warrants, some problems with investigations on these kinds of serious offenses are expected. So, we are considering various countermeasures.”

He added, “Since a lack of equipment is cited by Daum Kakao as the reason for its noncompliance with wiretapping warrants, we are considering whether to dispatch prosecution investigation officers and IT experts equipped with the necessary equipment to the company in order to obtain communications data in real time.”

Eavesdropping on communications via KakaoTalk has played a major part in the investigation of criminal cases and those involving public safety, as shown by the fact that the method provided a major clue in catching spies in December 2013, who were engaged in espionage activities by partnering with North Korea's espionage agency.

But is it possible to execute wiretapping warrants in this way? An official at one of the courts in the nation, said, “Legally, there is no problem.” The official added, “If communications companies are required to have listening devices, it will be a big burden for them. So, it will be more desirable for the prosecution to have equipment and enforce wiretapping warrants.”

Meanwhile, due to worries about the leakage of personal information during raids, the prosecution is reportedly considering whether or not to confiscate data related to crimes after classifying communications records with a third party attending.

Copyright © BusinessKorea. Prohibited from unauthorized reproduction and redistribution