South Korea Ramps Up Fight Against Deepfake Sex Crimes

South Korean authorities have intensified efforts to combat sexually explicit deepfake content, urging Telegram and other social media platforms to cooperate. Measures include a 24-hour victim hotline, doubling regulatory personnel, and a seven-month crackdown by police. Criticism of Telegram grows amidst rising deepfake cases and public outcry.

South Korean authorities are calling on Telegram and other social media platforms to collaborate in removing and blocking sexually explicit deepfake content, in response to public and political outrage. The move follows media reports of numerous deepfake images and videos of South Korean women in Telegram chatrooms.

The Korea Communications Standards Commission announced a 24-hour hotline for victims and plans to double regulatory personnel from 70. The Korean National Police Agency will intensify efforts for a seven-month crackdown on online sex crimes.

Commission Chairman Ryu Hee-lim said they plan to establish a consultative body for better communication with social media firms about deepfake content. They also aim to create face-to-face consultation channels for foreign companies. Criticism of Telegram has increased following the arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov, amidst a French probe into child pornography and other crimes on the app.

The number of deepfake sex crime cases in South Korea has jumped from 156 in 2021 to 297 in 2023, with most perpetrators being teenagers. Victims often include female students and soldiers. In many instances, police have found it challenging to act due to the content being on Telegram.

(With inputs from agencies.)