South Korean police have launched a high-profile investigation into Telegram following mounting allegations that the messaging platform has become a hotspot for distributing explicit deepfake content involving Korean women. The probe comes in response to a surge in complaints and public outcry over the misuse of deepfake technology to create and share graphic, digitally altered media.

The investigation, reported by Reuters, was spurred by alarming complaints from citizens and politicians about the proliferation of deepfake images and videos in Telegram groups. These deepfakes often depict explicit content, and local media reports indicate that such material is being circulated extensively within these chats.
Cho Ji-ho, head of the National Police Agency, has indicated that law enforcement is exploring legal avenues to hold communication service providers accountable for crimes facilitated through their platforms. This investigation coincides with scrutiny in France, where Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, faces allegations of using the platform to orchestrate harmful activities.
According to Security Hero, an American data protection startup, South Korea is the leading target for deepfake attacks, with 53% of victims being South Korean celebrities. The number of reported deepfake-related crimes in South Korea has surged to 297 this year alone, compared to 156 cases recorded for the entire year of 2021.
In response to the escalating crisis, South Korean authorities are pushing for stricter legislation that would criminalize the creation and distribution of explicit deepfakes. The country’s media regulator is also seeking cooperation from French authorities to address issues related to Telegram and to facilitate direct dialogue with Durov’s company. As of now, the National Office of Investigation of South Korea has declined to provide an official comment on the matter.
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