United

April

Update Sept. 3, 1.55 pm UTC: This article has been updated to include details on Telegram complying with South Korrea’s requests to remove illicit content 
South Korean authorities are reportedly investigating Telegram Messenger over alleged crimes involving illicit content on the platform.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has launched a preliminary investigation into Telegram over allegations of “abetting deepfake sex crimes,” the local Yonhap News Agency <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240902005900315" rel="null" target="null" text="null">reported</a> on Sept. 3.
According to Woo Jong-soo, head of South Korea’s National Office of Investigation, South Korean police launched an internal investigation into the corporate entity of Telegram before officially booking the inquiry.
He reportedly mentioned that South Korea followed in the footsteps of France in starting the preliminary investigation first. “The charges are about abetting this crime,” Woo added.
<h3 id="strong-south-korea-plans-to-collaborate-with-french-investigators-strong">South Korea plans to collaborate with French investigators</h3>
Woo pointed out potential challenges in the Telegram investigation, such as the lack of information on user accounts. He stated:
<blockquote>
 “Telegram does not readily provide investigation data, such as account information, to us or other state investigative bodies, including those in the United States.”
</blockquote>
In order to proceed with the investigation, South Korean police are planning to collaborate with French authorities and international investigators to find methods for investigating Telegram, Woo noted.
According to Yonhap, this is the first time South Korean police have launched an investigation into Telegram’s corporate entity.
The investigation comes amid South Korea’s struggle to <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg4yerrg451o" rel="null" target="null" text="null">combat</a> online sex crimes, with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol calling on local authorities to investigate and eradicate the issue in August. 
Previously, a local police investigation reportedly <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/anyone-can-be-a-victim-sprawling-ai-fake-nudes-crisis-hits-south-korea-eec02232" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" text="null">found</a> one Telegram group chat with 1,200 members where users shared computer-generated sexualized images and other personal information.
<h3 id="strong-telegram-complies-with-requests-to-remove-illicit-content-strong">Telegram complies with requests to remove illicit content</h3>
Yonhap News subsequently <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240903008900320" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" text="null">reported</a> that Telegram has been quick to comply with South Korea’s request to remove certain deepfake pornographic content on its platform.
The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) reportedly said that Telegram's East Asia division sent an email to the authority, reporting removal of 25 pieces of illicit material from its platform at the KCSC’s request.
The report mentioned that Telegram apologized for miscommunication regarding the incident. Additionally, the KCSC reportedly requested Telegram to install a hotline with South Korean authorities to better address illicit content on the messenger.
<h3 id="strong-south-korea-is-not-among-the-top-users-of-telegram-strong">South Korea is not among the top users of Telegram</h3>
South Korea is not among the biggest markets for Telegram in terms of user numbers. <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1155393.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" text="null">According</a> to local reports, Telegram had three million monthly active users from South Korea as of April 2024.
<a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/980547/south-korea-most-used-messaging-apps/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" text="null">According</a> to data from Statista, Telegram was ranked the third most popular messaging app in South Korea as of late 2023, with roughly 5% of the local population preferring the platform.
The local messaging app KakaoTalk has gathered significantly more user traction, with at least 95% of respondents indicating its usage. Instagram was ranked second, with 25% of respondents indicating that it was used in South Korea.
<figure>
 <img alt="South Korea joins global crackdown on Telegram, cites deepfakes" name="" src="https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2024-09/0191b746-811b-7a55-9dcc-a931b997e571">
 <figcaption style="text-align: center;">
 Most popular mobile messaging apps in South Korea as of December 2023. Source: Statista
 </figcaption>
</figure>
<h3 id="strong-global-crackdown-on-telegram-multiple-investigations-launched-strong">Global crackdown on Telegram: Multiple investigations launched </h3>
South Korea’s move to investigate Telegram over alleged negligence of deepfake crimes comes a few weeks after <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-arrested-france" rel="null" target="null" text="null">French authorities arrested</a> Telegram founder and CEO <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/top-people-in-crypto-and-blockchain-2023/pavel-durov" rel="null" target="null" text="null">Pavel Durov</a> on Aug. 24. French prosecutors subsequently <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-france-court" rel="null" target="null" text="null">charged Durov with multiple criminal offenses</a>, including facilitating illicit activities and dissemination of child pornography.
By launching the investigation, South Korea joins a growing number of jurisdictions that have initiated probes against Telegram following Durov’s arrest in France.
Related: <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-2023-financial-report-digital-assets" rel="null" target="null" text="null">Telegram financial statement shows it holds $400 million in crypto</a>
India, the largest country in terms of Telegram usage with over 100 million users, <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-under-investigation-india-report" rel="null" target="null" text="null">launched its </a>investigation after the first reports of Durov’s arrest broke on Aug. 24.
Another major market for Telegram, Indonesia, was also <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-ban-indonesia-moderation-content" rel="null" target="null" text="null">considering blocking Telegram</a> due to lack of content moderation, local reports suggested on Aug. 29.
<figure>
 <img alt="South Korea joins global crackdown on Telegram, cites deepfakes" name="" src="https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2024-09/0191b745-5b50-7e6e-a0cc-5da2093ba295">
 <figcaption style="text-align: center;">
 Top 12 countries in terms of Telegram users as of July 2024. Source: Demandsage
 </figcaption>
</figure>
Additionally, the European Union has been reportedly investigating whether Telegram <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://www.ft.com/content/1f96e66d-00fe-46ca-9cb8-73e526125922" rel="null" target="null" text="null">provided</a> false data on its user numbers in the European Union.
According to the Paris Prosecutor’s Office, France <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-europe-violation-durov-charges" rel="null" target="null" text="null">launched a preliminary investigation into Telegram in February 2024</a>, while a judicial inquiry was started in July.
Magazine: <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-opensea-sec-wells-notice-binance-hodlers-digest/" rel="null" target="null" text="null">Telegram CEO cannot leave France, OpenSea receives Wells notice, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Aug. 25 – 31</a>
Update (date and time in UTC): This article has been updated to [insert the new info being presented.]

South Korea joins global crackdown on Telegram, cites deepfakes

Table of Contents

Cointelegraph

Other articles published on Sep 3, 2024

Weekly Article Recap: 8/26-8/30

Cardano struggles as crypto whales sell $326 million after the Chang hard fork

Elon Musk teases the possible return of Dogecoin as a payment option for Tesla merchandise

Klumi Ventures and DWF Labs Join Forces to Grow the UAE Web3 Ecosystem (3 Sep)

Blockchain ID platforms could shift airdrops from risky to valuable

SEC Member Uyeda Calls for Customized S-1 Registration Forms for Digital Assets

Join our free newsletter for daily crypto updates!