Telegram removes pornographic “deepfake” content exchanged by its users, at the request of South Korea

The platform, whose boss Pavel Durov was recently indicted in France, is accused of not doing enough to combat the spread of illegal content.

The platform is trying to show its credentials. In South Korea, the Telegram messaging service has removed some pornographic content after a request from the media regulator, the Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday, September 3. A case that echoes another procedure, this time in France, as Telegram boss Pavel Durov is indicted and placed under judicial supervision for not taking action against the dissemination of criminal content on the platform.

The case, which caused a scandal in South Korea, dates back to late August. South Korean media outlet Hankyoreh claimed that university students were running a Telegram chat group where “deepfake porn” (retouched pornographic videos) were circulating in which the faces of their female classmates had been integrated.

Following a request from the regulatory authority, the Telegram messaging service announced that it had removed 25 pieces of content that were of a sexually exploitative nature, the Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday – a drop in the ocean of such content circulating there. “Telegram also apologized for miscommunication on the matter and provided a dedicated email address for future communications with the media regulator.”Yonhap added, citing the regulator.

South Korean police also announced Monday that they have opened an investigation into Telegram, accusing it of“encourage” the dissemination of such fake pornographic content, including images of minors. The Telegram messaging service had assured AFP that it “actively monitored harmful content on its platform, including illegal pornography”.

Online crime is rife in South Korea, activists say, including the exploitation of spy cameras and the posting of “revenge porn” – private pornographic content shared without consent to get revenge.

The investigation opened by the Seoul police comes after the arrest on August 28 in France of Telegram boss Pavel Durov. After four days in police custody, the billionaire was released but is subject to a strict judicial review including a ban on leaving French territory. According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, he is being charged in particular with “refusing to communicate the information necessary for interceptions authorized by law” and complicity in offenses and organized crimes via the platform.