S.Korea Media Watchdog Launches Probe On Instagram's Deactivation Of Accounts

SEOUL, Feb 11 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korea's media watchdog said Wednesday it has launched a probe into US social media platform Instagram over allegations that the service disabled user accounts without justifiable reasons last year, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) said the investigation will examine whether Meta Platforms Inc.'s Instagram violated the local telecommunications act and provided proper and timely support to affected users.

The move follows complaints that a number of Korean user accounts were permanently disabled in May and June last year, even though they were not related to Instagram's measures to protect juveniles from sexual content introduced under its strengthened teen protection guidelines, according to the KMCC.

The KMCC said it will impose fines and issue corrective orders if any violations are confirmed.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP