디지털사회의 양심의 자유에 관한 법적 고찰 = A Legal Study on Freedom of Conscience in the Digital Society

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In the digital society, freedom of conscience is simultaneously facing new challenges and opportunities. The advancement of digital technology provides new avenues for individuals to express and disseminate their thoughts and beliefs, yet it also increases the risk of infringing upon freedom of conscience in this process. This paper aims to analyze the legal issues confronting freedom of conscience in the digital environment and seek legal and institutional improvements to protect it.
Freedom of conscience is historically an important human right, defined as the right for individuals to act according to their beliefs and moral standards. However, in the digital age, this right is encountering new types of threats. Particularly, censorship on online platforms, ideological control through data collection and analysis, and issues of personal data breaches seriously threaten freedom of conscience. An in-depth analysis of how these issues are addressed at the legal level is required.
The digital environment is dual-faceted. On one hand, it provides opportunities for individuals to freely express their thoughts, but on the other hand, it entails the risk of this information being easily monitored and controlled. Governments and corporations can monitor individual behaviors through technology and collect corresponding data, which not only infringes on personal privacy but can also act as a tool to suppress freedom of conscience. Therefore, legal measures to enhance personal data protection are necessary to address these issues.
Additionally, online censorship is one of the greatest threats to freedom of conscience in the digital society. Some countries are intensifying internet censorship to suppress political and religious expressions, which seriously infringes on the right of individuals to freely express their beliefs. From an international legal perspective, this issue is a significant subject of discussion, requiring the strengthening of norms on a global scale. Furthermore, case studies analyzing instances of infringements on freedom of conscience in the digital society can lead to the identification of legal issues. Instances of accounts being blocked for expressing certain ideas or beliefs on social media are frequent, highlighting the need for change. These cases emphasize the necessity of legal responses to protect freedom of conscience.
In conclusion, it is crucial to balance technological advancements with legal protections to safeguard freedom of conscience in the digital society. Technology should be utilized as a tool to protect, not oppress, individual freedom. This requires not only a shift in societal awareness but also legislative and institutional reforms. This paper seeks to contribute to building a more just and free digital society by deeply analyzing the legal issues facing freedom of conscience in the digital society and proposing solutions to address them.