After France, the investigation against Telegram began in South Korea, is a big crisis looming?
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's troubles do not seem to be decreasing, even though he has got bail in France, for now, he will have to stay in France and face the investigation, while his company has suffered another big blow. South Korean police have started an investigation against Telegram.
Yonhap News Agency has reported that South Korean police are investigating whether Telegram is involved in the distribution of deepfake content related to sexual abuse. The agency has given this information quoting the head of the National Office of Investigation, although the agency investigating cybercrime cases has refused to comment on this.
Why the investigation against Telegram?
According to local media, objectionable content related to deepfake pornography of South Korean women was seen several times in the Telegram chatroom, after which the public and political parties expressed anger. Due to this, the South Korean police have started an investigation against the encrypted messaging app Telegram.
America's Security Hero released a global report on deepfake in the year 2023, according to this report, people of South Korea have been targeted the most for deepfake pornography. About 53 percent of the people targeted in deepfake pornography include famous personalities of South Korea such as singers, and actors.
Deepfake cases increased in South Korea
According to the South Korean police, they have received 297 deep fake sex crime cases so far this year, while the number of these cases was 151 in the year 2021. The surprising thing is that in such cases the victims and criminals are teenagers (minors).
According to the information, South Korea has asked Telegram to cooperate more actively in this matter. So that such content can be removed and stopped. Along with this, the South Korea Media Regulator has also asked the French authorities to cooperate continuously in this matter, so that the problem related to Telegram can be resolved and direct communication can be done.
Apart from this, the South Korean government has said that on Friday it will try to bring strict laws against it, through which buying and watching such content will be brought under the criminal category.
France arrested Telegram CEO
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested from Paris airport on 24 August, he is accused of failing to moderate objectionable content and illegal activities on Telegram. France has charged him with 6 charges related to illegal activities. Although he was released on bail on 28 August, 4 days after his arrest, the French court has barred him from leaving the country until the investigation is completed.
Pavel Durov founded the Telegram messaging app in 2013 with his brother at the age of 22. He is originally a Russian citizen, in 2014 when the Russian government asked him to give data related to users, Durov shifted to Dubai. Durov also holds citizenship in France and the UAE. His total estimated wealth is said to be around $ 15 billion.