Recently, Editor Won Eun Ji from the news outlet “Stain Cow” spoke about the ongoing controversy surrounding “Telegram deepfake sexual crimes.” She stated, “Several illegal organizations systemically operate this system, and the scale is so vast that it’s hard even to grasp.”
During an appearance on CBS Radio Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show, Editor Won highlighted the troubling issue of deepfake sexual exploitation cases, which predominantly involve the manipulation of women’s photos to depict sexual acts within Telegram. She described it as a disturbing situation where the crime occurs indiscriminately. She further added that the severity of the problem extends beyond private rooms run by teenagers, as it has evolved into a market where various illegal organizations operate chat rooms.
Won, who personally examined Telegram, explained, “When you enter a chat room, you find a menu alongside sample photos. It’s structured like an app, allowing users to choose their actions. Users can pay for deepfake content and even invite a friend into the room for promotions. Since teenagers often lack funds, this method of promotion has gained popularity.”
She continued, pointing out that the core issue centers on chat rooms where people share deepfake images. She explained that the problem isn’t limited to posting photos; personal information such as names and contact details are also shared. “By showcasing that these are real individuals, they provoke even greater stimulation,” she elaborated. Furthermore, she noted the existence of over 3,000 chat rooms, some of which contain tens of thousands of members, making it challenging to gauge the full scale of the issue accurately.
A more significant issue is that the victims of the chat rooms were mostly middle and high school students. Won noted, “Illegal organizations have recognized that this can be profitable, so they will likely use middle and high school students as promotional tools. Therefore, we should expect these incidents to occur in schools nationwide without being able to pinpoint specific locations.”
“Schools need to provide preventive education, but according to the field, digital sexual crime education only lasts about an hour a week. Simply providing preventive education is already a significant challenge,” she added.
Won pointed out that the legal consequences for those involved in distributing deepfake images are relatively mild, which contributes to a less urgent investigative approach. “Those who create or distribute false videos face up to five years in prison or fines of up to $37,000,” she remarked. However, she noted the challenge in prosecuting individuals who merely enter such chat rooms, as gathering sufficient evidence against them is difficult.
Won emphasized the growing trend of individuals setting their social media accounts to private as a precaution. Still, she argued that people shouldn’t have to alter their daily lives to prevent crime. Instead, she stressed that companies and public institutions should take responsibility for addressing these issues. She concluded with a call to action for victims, stating, “If you find out you are a victim, it’s crucial to report it immediately. Capturing and preserving all evidence is vital.”
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