This combined image shows far-right anti-feminist YouTuber PPKKa, left, and Afreeca streamer Se-yeon. Screenshot from PPKKa's YouTube channel, Se-yeon's social media

Victims of so-called "cyber wreckers" — individuals who profit from spreading malicious rumors on YouTube — have faced ongoing challenges in identifying and holding perpetrators accountable.

Their efforts are further hindered by YouTube's reluctance to reveal the identities of video creators and the substantial costs associated with legal action in both domestic and international courts.

The term "cyber wrecker" originates from tow trucks, or wreckers, that swiftly arrive at accident scenes and remove damaged vehicles without state approval. Similarly, cyber wreckers profit by posting rumors or unverified information about celebrities, politicians and ordinary individuals — often framed maliciously.

According to news reports, Liwu, the law firm representing AfreecaTV streamer Se-yeon, recently obtained the personal information of YouTuber PPKKa from Google LLC, following approval from the U.S. court for the Northern District of California.

Se-yeon's law firm intends to use this information to file a defamation lawsuit against PPKKa, a far-right misogynist YouTuber with over 1.14 million followers.

Se-yeon has been at the center of various rumors since she was seen in August with HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk in Beverly Hills, California. PPKKa posted a video accusing Se-yeon of making money through prostitution and gambling in Las Vegas.

In response, Se-yeon filed a defamation lawsuit in September and secured PPKKa's personal information through an American court, as YouTube had allegedly been uncooperative in disclosing information to Korean investigative agencies regarding video publishers.

This is similar to how Jang Won-young, a member of the idol group IVE, obtained the identity of the YouTuber "Taldeok Camp" during her own lawsuit last year.

This development comes against the backdrop of a troubling trend of blackmail and online harassment cases involving public figures perpetrated by malicious YouTubers.

YouTuber Guje Yeok, whose real name is Lee Jun-hee, appears at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul, July 15, 2024. He sought to be questioned about the money he received from popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang in connection with an escalating blackmail scandal, but prosecutors declined to interview him. Newsis

However, the challenge persists for individuals who cannot afford the costs associated with hiring lawyers from both Korean and American law firms.

In most cases, Korean investigative agencies suspend probes due to difficulties in obtaining the personal information of video publishers from overseas platforms like YouTube.

As a result, only those who can afford such expenses have filed cases against malicious YouTubers, while ordinary people affected by cyber wreckers have been unable to take any legal action, Liwu said.

Meanwhile, YouTube stated through its community guidelines that creators who harm or endanger others by committing hate speech, harassment, cyberbullying and malicious attacks may be disadvantaged in advertising and revenue generation.

However, experts point out that the platform has taken a lenient approach in addressing the cyber violence committed by these malicious YouTubers.

Lee Woong-hyuk, a professor of police studies at Konkuk University, said, "YouTube, which has servers overseas, is the best place to hide for cyber wreckers who hide their identity to upload videos." The professor added, "It is difficult to investigate YouTube because it tries not to be involved in identifying video publishers."

Yoo Hyun-jae, a professor of communication at Sogang University added, "YouTube did not impose sanctions on cyber wreckers because YouTube earns profits with their views and advertisements."

In response, there have been increasing calls to require overseas online platforms to implement measures against cyber violence, such as deleting and blocking reported videos and limiting revenue generated by malicious YouTubers.

Rep. Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Jan. 14. Yonhap

On Sunday, Rep. Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea said on Facebook that the opposition party will advocate for the introduction of the Cyber Wrecker Information Disclosure Act to address the issue of malicious YouTubers evading responsibility.

"Cyber wreckers are avoiding legal responsibility even after trampling on the reputation of others with false facts by exploiting overseas platforms, and that must not be tolerated," he said.

Jeon added, "The key goal [of the legislation] is to block the irresponsible dissemination of false information by cyber wreckers operating on overseas platforms such as YouTube and to find measures to ensure that victims can receive legal protection quickly."