South Korean authorities have initiated a probe into the popular messaging app Telegram for its alleged negligence in addressing deepfake-related sex crimes. The investigation marks the first time the South Korean police have targeted Telegram concerning such serious offences.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police, spearheading the investigation, have faced considerable challenges in obtaining cooperation from Telegram, a trend mirrored in other countries where the app has been scrutinised, reports Bloomberg.
During a press briefing, Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Office of Investigation, revealed that the authorities are determined to overcome these obstacles by employing their investigative tools to retrieve the necessary materials.
Last week, the government notified several social media platforms, including Telegram, to act against deepfake images. South Korea has seen a surge in deepfake-related crimes in recent months, which led the President of the country, Yoon Suk Yeol, to denounce the practice as a “clear crime.”
Telegram, responding to Bloomberg’s inquiries, stated that the platform is actively involved in monitoring harmful content, including illegal adult content. The company highlighted its use of artificial intelligence tools, proactive moderation of public channels, and user reports to enforce its terms of service.
However, the effectiveness and transparency of these efforts remain under scrutiny as the South Korean investigation unfolds.
The timing of the probe is particularly noteworthy, as it coincides with the recent arrest of Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, in France. Durov faces charges related to the dissemination of sexual images of children, further intensifying global scrutiny on the platform’s role in facilitating illegal activities.
The South Korean police have recently reported an alarming surge in deepfake-related cases, with 88 cases reported in just four days, compared to 297 cases over the previous seven months.
In March 2024, it was reported that Google received over 13,000 copyright complaints for about 30,000 URLs hosting deepfake content.
Last year, in October, reports came out that the Indian government was mulling bringing a law requiring WhatsApp to share information about deepfake content.
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