by JAMES S. KIM
Ashley Madison, a Canadian website for married people seeking affairs, is suing the South Korean government after being banned in the country over allegations of illegal activity and inciting immorality, according to the Huffington Post.
Avid Life Media, Ashley Madison’s parent company, filed a statement of claim in federal court on Wednesday. While denying accusations, they also accused the South Korean government of unfair practices by banning the website and allowing local companies to run similar services in South Korea and overseas.
Denying the allegations, Ashley Madison argued that the website is “for communication purposes only” and that “such communication is neither illegal in South Korea nor Canada.” Along with an unspecified amount for loss of revenue, lost profits and general damages, the company also wants a court order for South Korea to unblock the website.
Ashley Madison, whose slogan reads: “Life is short. Have an affair,” claims it has expanded to more than 30 countries. Within two weeks of launching in South Korea on April 1, over 50,000 members had apparently joined the site.
Shortly after, authorities from the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), an agency targeted in the suit, banned the site, as it allegedly contained “illegal information” and “spread bad behavior and seriously undermined legal order by aiding or abetting in adultery,” according to the South China Morning Post. An appeal by Ashley Madison was apparently dismissed within a few days.
Ashley Madison said it will present its financial losses during trial.
Photo via South China Morning Post
