South Korean authorities are currently investigating Telegram Corporation for its alleged involvement in distributing deepfake pornography, particularly targeting young women and teenagers through the use of artificial intelligence.
Description
This investigation follows a rise in deepfake sex crimes, with the National Police Agency examining whether the messaging platform is enabling the spread of sexually explicit deepfake material [5]. The focus of the investigation is on eight automated programs on Telegram that generate deepfake pornography, as well as group chat rooms that share such content. President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for thorough investigations into digital sex crimes and authorities are urging cooperation from social media platforms in combating sexually explicit deepfake content [5]. South Korean police have identified 24 suspects in connection with a total of 88 reports of deepfake sex crimes filed between August 26 and 29. Despite challenges in obtaining user data from Telegram, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is conducting an internal investigation. To enhance their efforts, South Korean police plan to collaborate with French authorities and international organizations to further examine Telegram’s role in facilitating these crimes. The government is pledging to push for tougher laws to criminalize the purchase or viewing of sexually exploitative deepfakes [5]. Telegram’s reputation in South Korea has been tarnished after an online sexual blackmail ring was discovered operating in the app’s chatrooms [5], leading to the sentencing of the ring’s leader [5], Cho Ju-bin [5], to 40 years in prison for blackmailing women and teenagers into sending degrading and violent sexual imagery [5]. The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on digital sex crimes in South Korea, with concerns over the platform’s lack of content moderation [7]. Telegram’s co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov was recently charged in France for allowing criminal activities on the platform [7], including offenses related to child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking [7]. The Seoul National Police Agency is working with French and international authorities on the probe [7], as Telegram has not cooperated with investigations in the past [7]. The investigation focuses on the distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content [7], which predominantly targets young women and girls and has sparked public outrage in South Korea [7]. Police in South Korea have launched a preliminary investigation into the messaging service Telegram for allegedly abetting deepfake sex crimes [2]. The investigation comes as the country faces a surge in deepfake pornography targeting young women [2], including teenagers [2] [4] [8]. The founder of Telegram [2], Pavel Durov [1] [2] [3] [7], was recently arrested in France as part of a similar investigation [2]. The police acknowledge challenges in obtaining investigation data from Telegram [2] [8], as the platform does not readily provide account information [2]. The investigation marks the first time Korean police have looked into Telegram’s corporate entity [2]. Automated programs creating deepfake pornography for Telegram and group chat rooms circulating such content are under scrutiny in the ongoing investigation [2] [8]. Reports have surfaced of sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of South Korean women being shared in Telegram chatrooms [6], prompting concerns about the platform’s role in facilitating the distribution of illegal pornography.
Conclusion
The investigation into Telegram Corporation’s alleged involvement in distributing deepfake pornography targeting young women and teenagers highlights the growing concern over digital sex crimes in South Korea. The government’s pledge to push for tougher laws and the collaboration with international authorities signal a concerted effort to combat sexually explicit deepfake content. The ongoing probe underscores the need for increased regulation and accountability in the online sphere to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.
References
[1] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/south-korea-probe-telegram-deepfake-porn-4581311
[2] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/09/251_381701.html
[3] https://koreapro.org/2024/09/south-korea-to-investigate-telegram-for-allegedly-abetting-deepfake-sex-crimes/
[4] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/south-korea-police-telegram/
[5] https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/south-korea-telegram-criminal-charges-deepfake-porn-b2605460.html
[6] https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2024/09/02/282643/south-korea-police-launch-probe-into-telegram-over-online-sex-crimes-yonhap-reports/
[7] https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/09/02/telegram-now-under-fire-over-deepfake-porn-in-south-korea/
[8] https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240902005900315