As an analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech and finance industries, I’ve seen my fair share of scandals and controversies that have impacted digital assets. The recent developments surrounding Toncoin (TON) and Telegram are no exception.
In the last 24 hours, Toncoin, or TON, the indigenous currency of The Open Network, has seen a minor price drop due to recent news about Telegram being under investigation in South Korea over allegations of distributing fake adult content such as deepfakes and explicit materials featuring Korean women.
As per information from CoinMarketCap, the value of TON, a digital asset, has been decreasing since last week following the arrest of Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov in France. On Monday alone, its value dipped by almost 3%. Currently, the worth of TON is approximately $5.16, which is significantly lower than its peak value of $8.25 recorded in June this year.
South Korea Targets Deepfake Crimes on Telegram
The investigation, initiated by South Korea’s National Office of Investigation, was triggered just within 24 hours following the report by Yonhap News Agency, suggesting that Telegram may have breached their country’s laws regarding its encrypted messaging app.
Law enforcement officials are scrutinizing the platform’s procedures and allegations that it distributed sexually explicit deepfakes featuring women, which may include inappropriate content.
The investigation was initiated following the police’s receipt of disturbing news about deepfake pornography being shared in Telegram chat rooms. These falsified visual content, intended to resemble authentic individuals, sparked a strong reaction from local feminist organizations and global K-pop fan bases, urging swift government intervention.
To address growing concerns from the public, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has initiated a thorough probe into instances of digital sexual offenses, specifically focusing on cases where technology is abused to fabricate and disseminate deepfake pornographic content.
President Yoon underlined the need to tackle the abuse of women online, advocating for stricter laws to combat this problem effectively.
Authorities Take Decisive Action
In response to the President’s call, South Korean authorities, along with the police, have pledged to take strong measures against individuals who produce and share deepfakes with sexually explicit content.
Additionally, they encouraged Telegram and similar social media platforms to collaborate completely with their initiatives aimed at eliminating this escalating issue.
As a concerned crypto investor, I’ve been following recent developments regarding Telegram, particularly the allegations about them spreading deepfakes and other inappropriate content featuring women. I’m eagerly awaiting official confirmation on whether these reports are accurate, as it’s crucial for the integrity and reputation of the platform.
The ongoing investigation in South Korea contributes to the growing international scrutiny faced by Telegram, as it also deals with probes in other nations like India. In South Korea, the focus is on unlawful sexual content, whereas India’s investigation primarily revolves around accusations of extortion and gambling activities within the platform.
Korean Women Used for Deepfake Pornography
Over the course of my research, I’ve noticed an alarming trend: South Korean women, particularly celebrities such as popular singers and actresses, have been disproportionately affected by deepfake pornography. In a 2023 report by Security Hero, a US-based identity protection startup, it was revealed that a staggering 53% of all individuals showcased in deepfake content globally are South Korean. This finding underscores the urgent need for action to protect these women from this insidious form of abuse.
The situation regarding deepfake sex crimes in the country is getting increasingly severe. As of now, the South Korean authorities have documented 297 such incidents this year.
The graph shows a significant surge compared to the 156 instances reported in 2021. Remarkably, both victims and offenders in this case often fall within the teenager age group.
In August, the seriousness of the case became clearer as a South Korean court convicted an individual who produced deepfake pornography aimed at female students at Seoul National University.
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2024-09-02 17:58