Afreeca Tv Fined for Violating Consumer Rights

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Afreeca TV and six other me-media platforms were fined for violating various customer rights, including conducting false advertising to attract more online interaction, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) Sunday.

Me-media platforms are online services that allow a user to post their own content, such as blogs, photographs and personal profiles, on the internet.

The antitrust agency said Sunday that it fined seven me-media platforms a total of 20.5 million won ($18,222) for violating the electronic commercial law.

The seven platforms are Global Monster, Marketing-is, cenCloud, Win Enterprise, Kakao TV and The Eamp;M besides Afreeca TV.

'The seven platforms did not provide customer rights regarding their refund policies on their websites.

Also, they haven't allowed customer refunds,' the FTC said in a press release.

'Under the electronic commercial law, customers are allowed to get a refund within seven days of purchasing an item online.

However, a number of me-media platforms have claimed on their websites that their online items are all non-refundable.'

The nation's largest video me-media platform Afreeca TV was found to have not included value added tax (VAT) in their online items' advertised prices in a bid to attract more customers.

Under related laws, businesses should include VAT in end prices of their products.

Kakao TV also did not stipulate that a customer can cancel a contract if an underage customer purchased an item online without prior consultation with...