The government plans to enact legal measures allowing online slanderers and pirates to be tracked down, according to a draft bill obtained Saturday.
The draft, compiled by the Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry, sets procedures under which Internet providers can track down and disclose the names of people in response to requests from affected users.
In view of growing problems involving slander and copyright violation among Internet users, the ministry has been drawing up the bill to clarify the legal responsibility of IPs in protecting user privacy and procedures to solve problems.
The ministry is expected to submit the bill to the ongoing extraordinary Diet session, due to end Dec. 7.
Specifically, the draft requires IPs to delete defamatory messages upon the request of those affected if no objections are issued within seven days.
Those slandered will also be allowed to demand IPs disclose personal information about the offenders, such as their names and addresses, for use in lawsuits.
When offenders do not agree to disclose personal information, IPs can bring the cases to court to force disclosure.
The draft also specifies the scope of IP responsibility. Providers will not be responsible for problems with their services unless it is proven they intentionally ignored and avoided taking action to solve them.