A troubling new scandal involving deepfake pornography has emerged in South Korea, exposing the exploitation of personal images and the distribution of fabricated, sexually explicit content. The investigation into this issue has led to scrutiny of Telegram, the messaging app where much of this activity has occurred.

The scandal began when a university student, known as Heejin for anonymity, received distressing messages on Telegram from an anonymous source. These messages included deepfake images that combined her face with sexually explicit bodies, created using advanced artificial intelligence. This incident is part of a larger pattern of abuse uncovered by journalist Ko Narin.

Narin's investigation, published in the Hankyoreh newspaper, revealed numerous Telegram chat groups dedicated to creating and sharing deepfake pornography. These groups, some targeting high school and middle school students, were found to operate in a highly organized manner. Notably, one group was discovered to have over 2,000 members, specifically focused on underage students.

In response, South Korean authorities have announced plans to investigate Telegram’s role in facilitating these crimes. This move follows recent legal actions in France against Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, related to similar issues. The South Korean government has pledged to impose stricter penalties for those involved in the creation and distribution of deepfake content. However, there is criticism that previous efforts to address such issues have been insufficient.

Women's rights organizations, including the Advocacy Centre for Online Sexual Abuse Victims (ACOSAV), are reporting a significant increase in cases. In 2023, the center assisted 86 teenage victims of deepfake pornography. By August 2024, this number had risen to 238, with a notable surge in new cases in recent weeks.

Criticism has also been directed at South Korea’s current administration, with accusations that it has undermined efforts to promote gender equality and support victims of digital abuse. Calls for more effective regulation of technology platforms like Telegram are growing, as concerns about the safety and privacy of individuals continue to escalate.

Telegram has stated that it actively works to remove illegal content from its platform, but its encryption and anonymity features complicate enforcement efforts. The ongoing investigation and public outcry underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address and prevent digital exploitation.

The deepfake porn scandal highlights the challenges posed by emerging technologies and emphasizes the need for stronger legal frameworks and societal responses to protect individuals from digital abuse.