President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea has called for thorough investigations into digital sex crimes following reports of sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of South Korean women circulating in Telegram chatrooms. These reports coincided with the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, as part of a French investigation into various crimes on the encrypted messaging app. The Korea Communications Standards Commission is planning to discuss measures to combat sexually explicit deepfakes in response to the growing issue.
Police in South Korea have reported a significant surge in online deepfake sex crimes, with 297 cases being reported in the first seven months of this year. This is an increase from 180 cases last year and nearly double the number reported in 2021. The majority of the accused individuals are teenagers and people in their 20s. Media reports have highlighted instances of deepfakes of female university, high school, and middle school students being shared in Telegram channels, leading to concerns from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union about the impact on school students.
In addition to targeting students, sexually explicit deepfakes have also been found in Telegram chatrooms targeting female military personnel, according to the Military Sexual Abuse Victim Support Center. This has raised serious concerns about the prevalence of such content and its impact on various groups within society. Telegram’s reputation in South Korea has suffered in recent years following the revelation of an online sexual blackmail ring operating in the app’s chatrooms. The leader of this ring, Cho Ju-bin, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for blackmailing numerous women, including teenagers, into sending degrading sexual imagery.
The creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes are punishable offenses in South Korea under the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of 50 million won. President Yoon emphasized the need to address these criminal acts that exploit technology and rely on anonymity during a televised cabinet meeting. While he did not mention Telegram specifically by name, the platform has been associated with various instances of deepfake-related crimes in the country. The Korea Communications Standards Commission is set to convene a meeting to discuss strategies for combating deepfake content and protecting individuals from becoming victims of digital sex crimes.
The rise of deepfake technology has made it easier for individuals to create and share sexually explicit content without the consent of the individuals depicted, raising serious ethical and legal concerns. South Korean authorities are taking steps to address the proliferation of deepfake sex crimes, including increased reporting and monitoring of such activities. With the number of reported cases on the rise, there is a growing need for comprehensive measures to prevent and prosecute individuals engaged in the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes. The protection of victims and the prevention of further harm are key priorities for authorities in addressing this complex issue in the digital age.
