Yesterday (23rd), Google’s’Webview’ app caused a problem in the update process, and many people suffered inconvenience because apps such as Naver and Kakao did not open. In December of last year, all Google services, including Gmail and YouTube, were suspended for an hour. As more than 70% of Google’s Android-based smartphones are used in Korea, Google’s service failure can lead to significant damage. Nevertheless, there are virtually no sanctions or compensation for damage, including punishment.
Reporter Han Sang-woo pointed out.
<기자>
It was 3 p.m. that Google announced yesterday that there was a service error.
It was 7 hours after the app crashed.
The solution came up at 5pm later than that.
[김승기/안드로이드 스마트폰 사용자 : 잠시 몇 시간 동안 앱을 사용 못 하는 것에 끝나지 않고 더 큰, 영화에서 나오는 재앙을 초래할 수도 있지 않을까. 그런 부분이 사실 좀 무섭게 다가오기도 하더라고요.]
As public opinion grew criticized for the easy handling, Google belatedly apologized today, saying,’I’m sorry for the inconvenience.’
Similar damage continues to occur, but compensation is not easy.
The Telecommunications Business Act states that if the service is suspended for more than 4 hours, the standard and procedure for compensation must be informed, but the Android operating system is an exception because it is’free’, with no usage fee.
Even if you use Google’s paid service, it is not easy to get compensation.
[이주헌/변호사 : 자기가 얼마의 손해를 봤는지, 4시간, 10시간 중단됐다고 해서 그걸 입증해서 손해배상 청구하는 건 현실적으로는 쉽지 않을 것 같습니다.]
The government believes that the so-called’Netflix Act’, which imposes quality control obligations on telecommunication service providers, is not directly subject to application.
From Android smartphones to’Google ecosystem’ such as YouTube and Gmail.
As the impact on people’s daily lives is so widespread, it is necessary to induce thorough management to prevent problems such as service errors from occurring, and to prepare a legal system to take responsibility in case of problems.
(Video coverage: Kang Dong-cheol, Video editing: Kim Jong-tae, VJ: Jeong Min-gu)