South Korea to tighten stance on Telegram over deepfake scandal – Reuters

On Tuesday, August 27, President Yoon called for a thorough investigation into digital sexual crimes after media reports revealed that explicit images and videos involving South Korean women are frequently found in Telegram chats.

According to police, there were 297 reported cases of online sexual crimes in the first seven months of 2024. This figure exceeds last year's total of 180 cases and is nearly double the number from 2021 when law enforcement first began compiling data. Most of the suspects are teenagers or individuals in their twenties.

Local media attention was drawn to an analysis by the Hankyoreh newspaper, which examined Telegram channels alleged to have circulated deepfakes involving university students as well as high school and middle school girls.

This week, representatives of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union reported several instances where students had become victims of sexual deepfakes. The union has urged the Ministry of Education to investigate the matter.

According to the Military Sexual Abuse Victim Support Center, explicit deepfakes targeting female military personnel have also been discovered in Telegram chats.

Telegram's reputation in South Korea was damaged several years ago after it was revealed that a network within the app was involved in sexual blackmail.

Arrest of Durov

Reuters added that recent reports coincided with the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France, who was detained on August 24.

French authorities are investigating allegations of child pornography, illegal drug trafficking, and fraud purportedly conducted through the encrypted messaging app.

Additionally, recent media reports indicate that Pavel Durov's detention has been extended for another 48 hours. Previously, the woman accompanying the businessman and his bodyguard were released after questioning.