“Everytime,” an essential application used across university campuses nationwide and the online anonymous community with the largest college student user base, is being criticized by users for neglecting hate speech, as reported by Channel PNU on April 4th, 2025. In response, Vinu Labs, the parent company of Everytime, acknowledged awareness of the issue and stated that it has significantly increased its moderation staff over the past three years. Specifically, at Pusan National University (PNU), 1,263 users faced restrictions within two months.

Vinu Labs plans to enhance its existing AI monitoring system to better detect and address hate speech. However, the company emphasized that user cooperation is crucial in maintaining a respectful community. In a written interview with Channel PNU on April 30th, 2025, Kim Dong-Woo (Associate Director, Vinu Labs’ communication team), provided insights into the company’s current and future strategies for combating hate speech.

△ What procedures does Everytime follow to self-regulate hate speech?

-Everytime takes immediate action by determining content as violating when prohibited behaviors such as sexually explicit content, violence, and harassment exceed a certain level, through real-time AI monitoring systems, operational staff, community guidelines, and warning messages. Posts containing images or videos are reviewed using Amazon Web Services’ machine learning technology. Additionally, user concerns are received in real-time through the inquiry function at the bottom of the app, and professional support staff are working to resolve these issues promptly within three business days.

△ What actions are taken against users who post hate speech?

-Users who post content that causes discomfort to others receive a three-day usage restriction as an initial warning. However, as reports accumulate, the usage restriction period can extend up to a maximum of five years. In other words, one could completely lose the opportunity to freely communicate on Everytime for the rest of their college life.

△ How does Vinu Labs address perceptions of limitations in the app’s reporting features?

-Most problematic posts are handled through the procedures mentioned earlier. However, given that hundreds of thousands of posts are uploaded daily across universities nationwide, there may be delays in the processing order. If users report posts they find troubling, the response can be expedited. In addition, we are comprehensively reviewing ways to notify users of the results of their reports to encourage more frequent use of the reporting and inquiry functions. We are grateful to the users who have helped us create a cleaner community.

△ Can you provide examples of recent efforts to curb hate speech?

-Over the past three years, Vinu Labs has significantly increased its moderation staff, with 30% of the company’s workforce dedicated to Everytime’s operations and management. At PNU alone, 1,263 users were restricted in just two months. Claims that Vinu Labs neglects hate speech for advertising revenue are not true. If users feel uncomfortable with provocative posts and delete Everytime, it actually results in losses for the company. Therefore, the company encourages users to participate in creating a healthy community by using the reporting function when they encounter disturbing posts while using the app.

△ What are the future plans for addressing remaining hate speech issues?

-Vinu Labs intends to upgrade its AI monitoring system to better understand context and display warning pop-ups when users attempt to post inappropriate content. However, ultimately, whether to write posts that make others uncomfortable depends on the will of the users.

△ Are there plans for campaigns or collaborations to reduce hate speech?

-While Everytime is a space where users can freely communicate based on anonymity, I believe that the role of university media as a public forum is also important. Therefore, starting from 2025, we are planning and promoting directions to expand communication and cooperation with each university’s media.

△ What is Vinu Labs’ vision for Everytime as a platform for university students?

-Being a community where everyone can participate pleasantly is Everytime’s top priority. Vinu Labs emphasizes fairness to its management and operational staff, and strictly responds to and doesn’t agree with any discrimination or hate speech related to gender, age, region or political orientation. As stated in the phrase at the bottom of the company website, “We hope that students can envision better times and futures,” we will strive to ensure that university student users have only good experiences on Everytime from admission to graduation.

Reporter Jeong Su-Vin

Translated by Seo Yoo-Jung