South Korea Cracks Down on Deepfake Sex Crimes, Calls for Social Media Cooperation

South Korean authorities have appealed to Telegram and social media platforms to help delete and block sexually explicit deepfake content. A hotline and increased regulatory personnel are part of the initiative, which follows rising cases of deepfake crimes mainly targeting women. Cooperation from tech giants is also being sought.

South Korean authorities have called on Telegram and other social media platforms to collaborate in deleting and blocking sexually explicit deepfake content. This initiative aims to address public and political outrage over the issue.

A 24-hour hotline for victims is being established, and the number of regulatory personnel monitoring digital sex crimes will be doubled from the current 70, according to the Korea Communications Standards Commission.

Ryu Hee-lim, the chairman of the commission, revealed plans to create a consultative body to improve communication with social media firms regarding the deletion and blocking of deepfake content. The commission seeks cooperation from Telegram, X, Meta's Facebook and Instagram, and Google's YouTube.

(With inputs from agencies.)