South Korea Launches Investigation into Telegram Over Alleged Deepfake

South Korea Launches Investigation into Telegram Over Alleged Deepfake

South Korean authorities have initiated an investigation into the messaging app Telegram, focusing on its potential involvement in crimes related to illicit content. As reported by Yonhap News on September 3, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has begun a preliminary inquiry into Telegram for allegedly “abetting deepfake sex crimes.”

Woo Jong-soo, the head of South Korea’s National Office of Investigation, confirmed that the police are scrutinizing Telegram’s corporate entity before formally opening a full investigation. He noted that South Korea is following the lead of France, which also began with a preliminary investigation. Woo emphasized that the charges involve accusations of aiding in the commission of these crimes.

One of the significant challenges identified in the investigation is the difficulty in obtaining user account information from Telegram. Woo highlighted that the platform has been reluctant to share such data with investigative bodies, including those in the United States. To overcome this, South Korean authorities plan to collaborate with French investigators and other international agencies to develop strategies for effectively investigating Telegram.

This investigation marks the first time South Korean police have targeted Telegram’s corporate structure. It comes amidst the country’s ongoing battle against online sexual crimes, with President Yoon Suk Yeol urging local authorities to intensify efforts to address and eliminate such issues in August.

Previously, a South Korean police probe uncovered a Telegram group chat with 1,200 members, where users exchanged computer-generated sexualized images and personal information.

Despite its recent scrutiny, Telegram is not the most widely used messaging platform in South Korea. As of April 2024, the app had around 3 million monthly active users in the country, accounting for about 5% of the population. KakaoTalk remains the dominant messaging app, with over 95% of the population using it, while Instagram is the second most popular.

The South Korean investigation is part of a broader global crackdown on Telegram. This follows the August 24 arrest of Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, by French authorities, who have charged him with multiple offenses, including facilitating illicit activities and the distribution of child pornography.

In response to Durov’s arrest, several countries have initiated their own investigations. India, Telegram’s largest market with over 100 million users, began its probe shortly after the news of Durov’s arrest. Indonesia, another significant market, has also considered blocking the platform due to concerns over content moderation.

The European Union has also reportedly launched an investigation into whether Telegram provided accurate data regarding its user numbers within the bloc. According to the Paris Prosecutor’s Office, France’s initial inquiry into Telegram started in February 2024, with a judicial investigation following in July.