<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuiduJtVs9raSmlP" />Police in South Korea have launched an investigation into whether Telegram abets online sex crimes, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Sep&nbsp;3), citing state media. The&nbsp;development was reported by the Yonhap news agency, quoting the head of the National Office of Investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The launch of this investigation comes after widespread outrage over&nbsp;digital deepfake pornography featuring South Korean women, with local media reporting such content is often found in Telegram chatrooms.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pavel-durov-was-too-free-in-his-approach-to-running-telegram-says-russia-755228">Pavel Durov was 'too free' in his approach to running Telegram, says Russia</a></strong></p>

<p>Last week, authorities pledged a crackdown on&nbsp;exploitative deepfake crimes in the country. This coincided&nbsp;with a French investigation into Telegram founder Pavel&nbsp;Durov,&nbsp;as authorities there probe organised crime on the platform.</p>

<h2><strong>'Probes into secure messages providers are...'</strong></h2>

<p>On Monday, the&nbsp;National Police Agency's commissioner,&nbsp;Cho Ji-ho, said that his agency was reviewing whether&nbsp;to investigate secure messaging apps by charging them with abetting crimes.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | A look at South Korea's&nbsp;deep fake crimes scandal</strong></p>

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<p>On being asked in Parliament about criminal activities on Telegram, Cho said that investigations into secure message providers proved complicated and time-consuming.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>South Korea most targeted by deepfake pornography</strong></h2>

<p>In 2023, a report by a US-based startup said that South Korea was the country most targeted by deepfake pornography, with its singers and actors contributing 53 per cent of individuals featured in such deepfakes.</p>

<p>According to the police, the number of deepfake sex crime cases so far in 2024 surged to nearly 300,&nbsp;compared&nbsp;to 156 for all of 2021 when data was first collated.</p>

<p>Last week, <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-sees-outcry-over-sexual-deepfakes-in-telegram-chatrooms-753688">President Yoon Suk Yeol called</a></strong> for digital sex crimes to be&nbsp;thoroughly investigated.&nbsp;"It's an exploitation of technology while relying on the protection of anonymity. It's a clear criminal act," President Yoon said.</p>

<p>He talked about&nbsp;sex crimes on social media in general and did not mention Telegram by name.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Police in South Korea have launched an investigation into whether Telegram abets online sex crimes, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Sep 3), citing state media.

Police in South Korea have launched an investigation into whether Telegram abets online sex crimes, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Sep 3), citing state media. The development was reported by the Yonhap news agency, quoting the head of the National Office of Investigation. The launch of this investigation comes after widespread outrage over digital deepfake pornography featuring South Korean women, with local media reporting such content is often found in Telegram chatrooms. Also read | Pavel Durov was 'too free' in his approach to running Telegram, says Russia Last week, authorities pledged a crackdown on exploitative deepfake crimes in the country. This coincided with a French investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov, as authorities there probe organised crime on the platform. 'Probes into secure messages providers are...' On Monday, the National Police Agency's commissioner, Cho Ji-ho, said that his agency was reviewing whether to investigate secure messaging apps by charging them with abetting crimes. Also watch | A look at South Korea's deep fake crimes scandal × On being asked in Parliament about criminal activities on Telegram, Cho said that investigations into secure message providers proved complicated and time-consuming. South Korea most targeted by deepfake pornography In 2023, a report by a US-based startup said that South Korea was the country most targeted by deepfake pornography, with its singers and actors contributing 53 per cent of individuals featured in such deepfakes. According to the police, the number of deepfake sex crime cases so far in 2024 surged to nearly 300, compared to 156 for all of 2021 when data was first collated. Last week, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for digital sex crimes to be thoroughly investigated. "It's an exploitation of technology while relying on the protection of anonymity. It's a clear criminal act," President Yoon said. He talked about sex crimes on social media in general and did not mention Telegram by name. (With inputs from agencies)

More trouble for Telegram: Police in South Korea launch probe into whether app abets online sex crimes

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More trouble for Telegram: Police in South Korea launch probe into whether app abets online sex crimes