Should prank calls be illegal?

[sweep_shot]

I have been watching some YouTube videos from a channel called Ownage Pranks. Basically, this voice actor makes a living by doing prank calls.

I have seen some videos where people got so worked up that they decided to call cops and stuffs.

While it may seem harmless, it wastes a lot of time of individuals and businesses. Is it ethical and should it be legal?

 

[finalfantasy7]

they should be.

but you do have think about india - how else are they going to survive

 

[gazza619]

I have no idea why prank calls or pranks in general are not illegal already.

Totally inhuman behaviour for doing pranks with strangers and I am sick of it.

 

[sweep_shot]

I have seen a YouTube channel where the person does prank calls on requests. He often gets people very worked up and waste people's times.

He even once tried to prank an actual FBI agent and it didn't go well for him. He was detained but was released I think.

Should prank calls be illegal? It waste people's times and can get people really worked up.

 

[sweep_shot]

A prankstar named Johnny Somali crossed the line with his pranks.

He is now looking at a 35-year prison sentence in South Korea.

Serves him right. Pranksters who cross lines should receive long prison sentences.

==========================

As of May 16, 2025, Ismael currently faces seven charges in South Korea, and over 35 years in prison.[55]
..
On November 11, Ismael was indicted by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office on charges of "obstruction of business" over the October 17 incident at the convenience store. A travel ban linked to the case prevents him from leaving South Korea.[64] In December, his trial was postponed until March 7, 2025.[65]

Ismael's trial commenced on March 7, 2025. He arrived an hour late, citing a stomachache. He attempted to enter the courtroom wearing a MAGA hat, but was prevented from doing so by the courtroom rules, repeatedly putting it on despite being told to remove it.[66] During the trial, Ismael's incident of spilling ramyeon noodles on a table at a convenience store in Mapo-gu was charged as an obstruction of business. He was also charged for causing discomfort by approaching pedestrians in Mapo-gu with a bag of rotten fish, and disturbing commuters on a bus and subway by playing loud music and dancing, together constituting two violations of the Minor Crimes Act. He plead guilty to three charges (1 obstruction of business and 2 Minor Crimes Act violations). The next trial date was scheduled to be on April 9, but was later rescheduled to May 16.[9][66][67][68]

Professor Seo Kyoung-Duk of Sungshin Women's University called for a strong sentence because of Ismael's actions and discouraged others from engaging in similar behavior.[69] Seo further criticized Ismael for calling South Korea a U.S. "vassal state".[70] South Korean legal experts say that if sentenced Ismael will likely serve a sentence in South Korea, then be deported, followed by an entry ban.[71]

As of May 2025, Ismael faces two charges of sexual violence. In March 2025, authorities added a sexual charge onto Ismael's case for creating a fabricated pornographic deepfake, depicting a female South Korean streamer and himself without consent.[60] Then in May 2025, a second sexual charge was added onto Ismael's case for another fabricated pornographic deepfake, depicting another South Korean streamer without consent.[72] Ismael's second trial date commenced on May 16, 2025. During the trial, Ismael plead guilty to two more charges (2 obstruction of business, including a newly added charge) and not guilty to the two Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes charges. The next trial date is scheduled to be on August 13.[10]

Johnny Somali - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org