South Korea's Crackdown: Telegram Under Investigation for Deepfake Role

South Korean authorities have launched an investigation into Telegram's potential role in distributing sexually explicit deepfake content. Public and political pressure has mounted following reports of such content in Telegram chatrooms. The investigation seeks to address the nation's rise in deepfake sex crimes, targeting primarily teenagers.

South Korean authorities have commenced an investigation into Telegram, scrutinizing whether the encrypted messaging app has been complicit in the distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content, according to Yonhap news agency. The move follows widespread public and political outrage over the proliferation of digital deepfake pornography, particularly involving South Korean women.

A key aspect of the investigation, as reported by local media, is Telegram's role in hosting such content within its chatrooms. This comes after the National Police Agency's commissioner, Cho Ji-ho, mentioned that they were considering charging secure messaging apps with abetting crimes. The urgency of the crackdown is underscored by a spike in deepfake sex crimes, with police recording 297 cases so far this year.

Parallel investigations are also underway in France concerning Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, over organized crime on the platform. Despite Telegram's claims of actively moderating harmful content, South Korea has sought French cooperation in addressing Telegram-related issues. The South Korean government is also aiming to push for stricter laws criminalizing the purchase or viewing of sexually exploitative deepfakes.

(With inputs from agencies.)