South Korea Intensifies Measures Against Sexual Deepfakes Following Telegram Controversy

Tuesday 27 August 2024 - 17:10

In response to recent reports revealing the proliferation of sexually explicit deepfake images and videos on Telegram, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for a comprehensive investigation into digital sex crimes. These revelations have sparked outrage across the nation.

The controversy comes amid the arrest of Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, in connection with a French investigation into child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud involving the encrypted messaging app.

On Wednesday, the Korea Communications Standards Commission will convene to discuss strategies to combat the spread of sexually explicit deepfakes. President Yoon denounced these acts as a misuse of technology under the guise of anonymity, labeling them as clear criminal offenses.

The recent spike in online deepfake sex crimes is alarming, with South Korean police reporting 297 cases in the first seven months of the year—nearly double the number from 2021. Most suspects are teenagers and young adults.

A viral report by the Hankyoreh newspaper highlighted Telegram channels distributing deepfakes of female students from universities and secondary schools. The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union has urged the education ministry to address these incidents, which include reports of students being victimized.

Deepfakes targeting female military personnel have also emerged, according to the Military Sexual Abuse Victim Support Center. Telegram’s reputation in South Korea has been marred by previous scandals, including a notorious sexual blackmail ring in 2020, leading to a 40-year prison sentence for its leader, Cho Ju-bin.

Under South Korea’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act, creating and distributing sexually explicit deepfakes is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of 50 million won ($37,500).

The situation underscores the growing need for stringent measures to address the misuse of digital platforms and protect victims from such heinous crimes.