Telegram is facing backlash in South Korea over deepfake pornography distributed through its platform.
TelegramThe popular messaging app is facing serious backlash in South Korea for its handling of deepfake pornography. This matter has become part of a broader crisis of digital sexual crimes in the country, prompting the platform to issue a formal apology to South Korean authorities.
The problem with deepfakes
Deepfakes are synthetic videos created using artificial intelligence (AI) that can superimpose one person’s face onto another person’s body. While they have legitimate uses, such as in entertainment, they are increasingly being misused to create explicit, non-consensual content. In South Korea, many Telegram chat rooms, often run by teenagers, were found to be distributing deepfake pornography, primarily targeting young women.
Apologies and actions from Telegram
In response to mounting criticism, Telegram apologized to the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) for its mishandling of the situation. The company admitted the severity of the issue and expressed regret. Telegram has removed 25 deepfake videos identified by the KCSC and proposed setting up a dedicated email address for continued communication with South Korean regulators. The KCSC praised Telegram’s decision as a positive step and acknowledged that the platform recognizes the severity of the problem.
Legal and social impact
The spread of deepfake pornography has sparked a strong backlash from both the public and the government in South Korea. Under South Korean law, those who create or distribute sexually explicit deepfakes can face up to five years in prison and fines of up to 50 million won (about US$37,500). Following the discovery of these chat rooms, police received 118 reports of deepfake videos and questioned seven suspects, including six teenagers. Many of the chat rooms were connected to schools and universities, and several of the victims were students or teachers known to the perpetrators.
The scandal brings back memories of a 2019 case in which a Telegram pornography network blackmailed women and children into creating explicit content. The network’s leader, Cho Ju-bin, was sentenced to 42 years in prison, highlighting South Korea’s firm stance on such crimes.
Telegram’s current challenges
The deepfake scandal is not the first legal problem that Telegram has faced. The platform’s founder, Pavel Durov, was recently arrested in France on charges related to child pornography, drug trafficking, and in-app fraud. Although Durov has been charged, this incident underscores the difficulties that Telegram faces in controlling illegal activities on its platform.
Government and public response
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for a thorough investigation into digital sex crimes and urged authorities to act decisively to prevent future incidents. Women’s rights activists have criticised the government’s response, arguing that stronger measures are needed to protect victims and curb the spread of such content.
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