South Korea police launch investigation into Telegram over deepfake porn

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The South Korea police have reportedly launched an investigation into messaging platform Telegram. The probe will look into whether it has been complicit in the distribution of deepfake pornography content.

The move comes as South Korea tackles the circulation of deepfake pornography targeting young women and teenagers, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Woo Jong-soo, head of the national office of investigation, reportedly said that the charges are about abetting the crime and acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead.

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These challenges include Telegram not readily providing investigation data such as account information, Woo reportedly added.

As such, the South Korea police will reportedly plan to collaborate with French investigative authorities and international institutions to investigate the platform.

So far, a total of 88 deepfake sex crime reports were filed between last Monday and Thursday, reported Yonhap. 24 individuals have been identified as suspects so far too.

Meanwhile, the ongoing investigation reportedly found that eight automated programs are creating deepfake pornography for Telegram. It also reportedly found group chat rooms responsible for circulating the pornographic content.

This comes after Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France on 8 July.

The investigation was opened on charges of web-mastering an online platform to enable an illegal transaction in an organised group, refusal to communicate at the request of authorities and complicity in the distribution of child pornography, selling of drugs and money laundering amongst others.

In a statement seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that it is within the procedural framework that Durov was questioned by investigators.

Following Durov's arrest, Telegram has since put out a statement on X saying that it abides by EU law, including the digital services act. It added that its moderation is within industry standards and is constantly improving.

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