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Recommend Measures against Violation of Privacy in Use of Library [2004] KRNHRC 12 (1 January 2004)

The Complainant expressed criticism over the website of OO City Library with regard to
the installation and operation of CCTVs inside the reading room and the requirement for
entering resident registration numbers to the unmanned seat assignment device. The staff of
the Library deleted the complainant's criticism without notice and put up notes of personal
attacks on the complainant with the real name of the complainant on the board of the
lounge of the library. The complaint against the library staff was filed on charges of
violation of moral right of the complainant.

The Commission decided that even though comments that violated the moral right of the
complainant were already made public on the internet, it was in violation of moral right
including the integrity of the complainant under Article 10 of the Constitution and right to
privacy under Article 17 of the Constitution in that a third person printed the comments
carried on the internet and posted them in a public place with a specific intent.
The Commission also concluded that the requirement for library visitors to enter resident
registration numbers into the automatic seat assignment device and keeping the information
entered constitutes an act of excessive collection of personal information, which may violate
rights to privacy. However, as the library concerned established separate procedures for
visitors who do not agree to entering their resident registration numbers so that they could
use the library without any inconvenience, the Commission decided that remedial measures
would not be necessary.
The Commission recommended that the respondent be given warnings and human rights
training, and that measures to prevent recurrence of such complaints be taken.