Telegram Apologizes for Mishandling Deepfake Porn Crisis in South Korea

Telegram has issued an apology to South Korean authorities for its handling of deepfake pornographic material circulated through its messaging platform, amidst a burgeoning digital sex crime epidemic in the country. The apology follows an investigation launched by South Korean police, who accused Telegram of "abetting" the distribution of such illicit content.

In recent weeks, numerous Telegram chatrooms, many operated by teenagers, were discovered to be creating and sharing sexually explicit deepfakes using manipulated photographs of young women. Authorities have confirmed that Telegram has since removed these videos from its platform.

In a statement to South Korea's Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), Telegram described the situation as "unfortunate" and expressed regret for any misunderstanding. The company also confirmed the removal of 25 such videos as requested by KCSC and proposed a dedicated email address for future communication with the regulator.

KCSC praised Telegram's approach as "very forward-looking" and noted that the company has acknowledged the gravity of the situation. Deepfakes, generated using artificial intelligence, often combine the face of a real person with a fake body, leading to significant ethical and legal concerns.

The deepfake crisis has sparked widespread outrage in South Korea, particularly after journalists uncovered that police were investigating deepfake porn rings at two major universities. In the past week, police received 118 reports of such videos, with seven suspects, six of whom are teenagers, being questioned.

The chat groups involved were linked to various schools and universities across the country, with many victims being students and teachers known to the perpetrators. In South Korea, creating sexually explicit deepfakes can result in a jail sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to 50 million won ($37,500; £28,300).

These revelations come on the heels of the arrest of Telegram's Russian-born founder, Pavel Durov, in France. Durov faces allegations of child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud occurring on the messaging app. He has since been charged.

Last Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed authorities to "thoroughly investigate and address these digital sex crimes to eradicate them." Women's rights activists have criticized South Korean authorities for allowing sexual abuse to occur on Telegram.

In 2019, a sex ring was discovered using Telegram to blackmail dozens of women and children into filming pornographic content. The ring leader, Cho Ju-bin, then 20, was sentenced to 42 years in jail.

The deepfake porn crisis has engulfed over 500 schools and universities, with many underage victims. The arrest of Aricell's chief executive following an investigation into multiple safety failings has also highlighted the broader issues of digital safety and regulation in South Korea.

Telegram's apology and subsequent actions indicate a recognition of the seriousness of the deepfake porn crisis and a commitment to addressing the concerns of South Korean authorities and the public. However, the ongoing investigation and public outcry underscore the need for continued vigilance and stricter regulations to combat digital sex crimes.