South Korean authorities have initiated an investigation into Telegram, examining whether the encrypted messaging app has played a role in the distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content, Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday.
The probe follows significant public and political backlash regarding the proliferation of such content, which has been frequently reported in Telegram chatrooms.
Yonhap quoted the head of the National Office of Investigation, though the office’s cyber investigation bureau declined to provide further details. This investigation expands on earlier statements from Cho Ji-ho, commissioner of the National Policy Agency, who noted that his agency was considering whether to charge secure messaging apps with aiding and abetting criminal activities.
This development coincides with South Korea’s recent commitment to cracking down on sexually exploitative deepfake crimes. It also aligns with a French investigation into Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, as French authorities look into organized crime on the platform.
In parliamentary discussions, Cho acknowledged the challenges and complexities involved in investigating secure messaging services. Telegram has yet to respond to a Reuters inquiry but stated last week that it actively moderates harmful content, including illegal pornography.
South Korea is reported to be the most targeted country for deepfake pornography, with South Korean celebrities making up 53% of those featured, according to a 2023 report by U.S. startup Security Hero.
This year, South Korean police have reported a sharp increase in deepfake sex crime cases, with 297 incidents so far compared to 156 in all of 2021. Most victims and perpetrators are teenagers, authorities say.
In response to these challenges, South Korea’s media regulator has called for more active cooperation from social media companies in removing and blocking such content and has sought regular collaboration with French authorities on Telegram-related issues. Additionally, the South Korean government has announced plans to advocate for stricter laws targeting the purchase and viewing of sexually exploitative deepfakes.
