KakaoTalk under fire for their new 'multi profile' feature that encourages affairs among couples

Article: "Affair abuse" vs "Privacy"…polarizing reactions to KakaoTalk's new 'Multi Profile' feature

Source:  Hankyung

KakaoTalk's new 'multi profile' feature is eliciting polarizing reactions from users.

On the 28th, Kakao launched a service that allows users to set up their own profile using text and photos according to their conversation partners. In addition, they can create up to 3 separate profiles. 

Many users became concerned that the multi-profile feature will be exploited for infidelities and fraud because "the other party won't know that the user has set up a multi profile."

One user wrote, "If scammers make up their minds, they can lead a double life." Another said, "I think they'll be more affairs and cheating. I hope they're able to show the user is using a multi profile."

Netizens in various online communities worried that "impersonation will become much easier. They'll be more cases where people deceive and create distance between each other." Another added, "not just infidelity but even voice phishing and identity washing will increase. No one wants this so why are you insisting on adding this?"

KakaoTalk's "multi-profile" feature

However, many are arguing the feature will prevent unnecessary exposure to private life with an office worker in his 20s stating, "I can set up a profile with a common picture without being noticed by my coworkers and boss, and add the features I want." 

Another office worker in his 30s stated, "I was stressed out with various criticisms about my personal profile so it's nice that they created 'multi profile' feature. I'll use it right away."

An elementary school teacher in his 30s stated, "I haven't changed my profile pic for more than a year because of my parents but now I can post whatever photo I want. It's a useful feature for those that have jobs that deal with parents like daycares and hagwon instructors. Now we can set up company images for work and personal profiles for friends and family members. I think it'll be good if students use multi-profiles to contact professors or make themselves look like model students."

1. [+4,454, -951] This is a feature no one wants or needs
2. [+3,104, -201] How is it Katalk's fault if people choose to cheat and scam? Honestly, did Kakao do anything wrong as the developer? If you're worried about something like a multi-profile then maybe you don't know who you are yourself or the acquaintances you keep.
3. [+1,520, -104] Even without a service like this, cheaters are going to cheat and do affairs...stop using this feature as an excuse
4. [+1,168, -399] So many pathetic people here obsessing over PSA. Are PSA's so important that we need to use multi? Please get rid of this. If you don't want people to message you on Katalk just add them as friends on WeChat. There's no need to change up our lives for a multi to talk to someone we don't care to be close to. 
5. [+616, -29] This will be full of scams 
6. [+286, -19]ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ A lot of Kindergarten parents must've been upsetㅋㅋㅋ. Nowadays, a lot of Kindergarten teachers share photos on Katalk, Instagram etc. Many people cursed at me for the photos I was sharing there so this is 100% an amazing feature ㅋㅋㅋ
7. [+162, -38] Life is already complicated enough without adding multi-profiles...this is only going to create more dirty private lives ㅋ
8. [+85, -13] Why would anyone use this unless they have something to hide?? Looks like there are a lot of people that are not proud of their actionsㅋㅋㅋ
9. [+52, -9] Stop creating tools for sex offenders!!