The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) has escalated its efforts to combat the surge of sexually explicit deepfake content on Telegram, following the recent detention of the messaging app's CEO, Pavel Durov, in Paris.
The KCSC has formally requested the French government's assistance in investigating Telegram, emphasising the urgent need for a cooperative relationship to address crimes linked to deepfake porn chat rooms.
The agency highlighted the severity of these crimes, which have affected over 220,000 individuals, predominantly underage victims, and projected the impact on Korean society.
This step marks an initial move towards establishing a dedicated hotline with Telegram to manage such criminal activities.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has voiced strong condemnation of digital sex crimes, calling for rigorous investigations into the matter.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
His remarks came amid reports detailing the frequent occurrence of explicit deepfake images and videos involving South Korean women circulating within Telegram chatrooms.
During a televised cabinet meeting, Yoon described the exploitation of technology for such criminal acts as a blatant abuse of anonymity, declaring,
"It's a clear criminal act."
This call for action is part of a broader government response to the alarming rise in deepfake sex crimes.
The South Korean authorities have observed a significant rise in deepfake sex crime cases, with reports showing an increase from 156 cases in 2021 to 297 cases in the first seven months of this year.
The majority of accused individuals are teenagers and young adults, reflecting a disturbing trend.
In response, the KCSC plans to enhance its regulatory measures, including setting up a 24-hour hotline for victims and doubling the number of personnel dedicated to monitoring digital sex crimes from 70 to 140.
The Korea National Police Agency will embark on a seven-month campaign to intensify its crackdown on these offenses.
Telegram's reputation in South Korea has suffered due to its association with various digital sex crimes.
The platform's previous controversies include the 2020 case involving Cho Ju-bin, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for blackmailing women into producing degrading and violent sexual imagery.
This latest scrutiny coincides with Durov's arrest as part of a French investigation into child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud associated with Telegram.
The KCSC's letter to the French authorities highlights a need for a collaborative approach to tackling these issues, suggesting a more direct line of communication with Telegram.
The KCSC's efforts extend beyond Telegram, aiming to engage other major social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The commission's chairman, Ryu Hee-lim, has stressed the importance of creating face-to-face channels for regular consultations with companies lacking a South Korean presence.
Ryu emphasised that the production, possession, and distribution of deepfake sex crime videos constitute severe violations that undermine individual dignity and rights.
Despite Telegram's claim of active moderation using AI tools and user reports to manage harmful content, criticism persists.
South Korean authorities have faced challenges in obtaining cooperation from Telegram, as evidenced by past difficulties in securing responses to requests for assistance with digital sex crime investigations.
The KCSC's proactive measures highlight the urgent need for effective collaboration and enhanced communication to combat the growing threat of deepfake porn and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
As South Korea intensifies its crackdown on sexually explicit deepfakes, the possibility of a ban on Telegram looms large.
With the Korea Communications Standards Commission’s recent request for French cooperation and a heightened regulatory approach, Korea's stance mirrors global scrutiny of the platform.
Indonesia's potential ban on Telegram, driven by similar concerns over pornography and online gambling, further reflects the platform's precarious position internationally.
Globally, Telegram has faced varying degrees of scrutiny and restrictions.
From China’s longstanding ban and Russia’s brief crackdown to Germany’s enforcement of hate speech laws and Spain’s temporary ban, the platform’s global footprint is fraught with regulatory challenges.
Each instance reflects a broader struggle to balance digital freedom with accountability.
As South Korea navigates its response, including potential regulatory bans and enhanced enforcement, the question remains – will Korea follow through with a full ban on Telegram?
Given the severity of the deepfake porn issue, probably banning will be a better solution to cut off the accessibility of reaching these deepfake porn chat rooms.
The decision could set a precedent for how nations address the complexities of digital platforms amidst escalating concerns about content regulation and user safety.
Telegram has apologised and removed 25 deepfake porn videos in response to pressure from South Korean authorities. The company is now working to improve communication and compliance with South Korean regulations.
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