YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — South Korean police have started an investigation into Telegram, joining other global authorities looking into the platform’s role in spreading illegal content. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is leading the probe, focusing on deepfake sex crimes shared through the messaging app. This investigation follows concerns over Telegram’s lack of moderation on such content.

South Korea Launches First Investigation into Telegram Over Deepfake Crimes

Authorities in South Korea are investigating Telegram for its alleged role in enabling deepfake crimes. According to the Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police have begun a preliminary investigation into the platform, accusing it of not doing enough to stop the spread of illicit content. Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Office of Investigation, confirmed that this marks the first time South Korea has targeted Telegram’s corporate entity.

South Korea Investigates Telegram for Deepfake Crimes - Yonhap News

South Korea Investigates Telegram for Deepfake Crimes. Source: Yonhap News

Woo said the investigation is looking into charges that Telegram has abetted deepfake sex crimes. The investigation was partly inspired by France, which began its own inquiry into Telegram earlier this year. However, Woo mentioned the difficulty in getting user account information from Telegram, a challenge also faced by authorities in other countries.

South Korea Joins Forces with France in Telegram Investigation

Due to Telegram’s lack of cooperation in sharing user information, South Korean police are planning to work with international investigators, including those from France. Woo noted that Telegram has a history of not providing account data, even to U.S. authorities. He stressed that this makes the investigation more complicated but added that collaborating with other countries may help.

France has already launched its own investigation into Telegram, and South Korean authorities hope that sharing information with them could make the process smoother. The joint effort is expected to help overcome the challenges of investigating a global platform like Telegram.

Removal of Illicit Content After Investigation

In response to the ongoing investigation, Telegram has complied with South Korea’s request to remove illicit content. According to Yonhap News, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) reported that Telegram’s East Asia division took down 25 pieces of deepfake pornography. Telegram also apologized for the delay in communication and agreed to work with South Korean authorities more closely.

Underage Victims Targeted in Telegram Deepfake Scandal. Source: Yonhap News

The KCSC also asked Telegram to establish a direct hotline with South Korean authorities to speed up the removal of future illicit content. While this is seen as a step forward, authorities are still cautious about the platform’s overall cooperation in the long term.

Global Crackdown Intensifies Following CEO’s Arrest

South Korea’s investigation is part of a wider global trend targeting Telegram for its content moderation practices. On August 24, French authorities arrested Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov. They are charging him with enabling illegal activities on the platform. This sparked investigations in other countries.

India, where Telegram has over 100 million users, launched its own probe following Durov’s arrest. Indonesia, another major Telegram market, is considering blocking the app due to concerns over its failure to moderate content effectively. These investigations show that countries are increasingly holding Telegram accountable for illegal content shared on its platform.

Top 12 countries in terms of Telegram users as of July 2024. Source: DemandsageTelegram Faces Pressure in South Korea Amid Dominance of KakaoTalk and Instagram

Telegram is not a major player in South Korea’s messaging app market. In fact, as of April 2024, it had three million monthly active users in the country. In contrast, the top messaging app, KakaoTalk, has a user base covering 95% of South Korea’s population. Instagram is the second most-used app, with 25% of respondents preferring it.

Messaging App Popularity in South Korea. Source: Statista

Despite its smaller user base in South Korea, Telegram is under growing pressure to comply with local laws. Above all, the ongoing collaboration between South Korean and French authorities may lead to more scrutiny on Telegram’s content moderation in the future.

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