South Korean police have initiated an investigation into the messaging platform Telegram, focusing on its potential involvement in deepfake-related sex crimes. The investigation, reported by Yonhap news agency, aims to determine if Telegram has been complicit in the distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content. The head of the National Office of Investigation, quoted by Yonhap, confirmed the investigation.
The probe follows concerns raised by several domestic media outlets regarding the presence of sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of South Korean women within Telegram chatrooms. In response to these concerns, South Korean authorities have urged Telegram and other social media platforms to actively cooperate in combating the spread of such content.
While Telegram has yet to provide an official comment on the investigation, the company previously stated its commitment to actively moderating harmful content on its platform, including illegal pornography. In a statement issued last week, Telegram highlighted its use of proactive monitoring, sophisticated AI tools, and user reports to identify and remove millions of pieces of harmful content daily.
The investigation into Telegram’s role in deepfake sex crimes underscores the growing concern regarding the misuse of deepfake technology for illegal and harmful purposes. The investigation’s findings will likely have significant implications for both Telegram and the broader fight against online sex crimes involving deepfakes.
