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South Korea has initiated an investigation into the messaging platform Telegram, focusing on allegations related to the dissemination of illicit content. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has begun a preliminary probe into Telegram, specifically addressing claims of the platform's involvement in “abetting deepfake crimes,” as reported by Yonhap News on September 3, 2024.
The investigation, led by Woo Jong-soo, head of South Korea’s National Office of Investigation, is notable for being the first time South Korean authorities have scrutinized Telegram’s corporate operations. Woo highlighted challenges such as limited access to user account information and noted that international cooperation will be essential. South Korean officials plan to work with French authorities and other global investigators to advance the inquiry.
This move aligns with South Korea’s broader efforts to combat online crimes, a priority highlighted by President Yoon Suk Yeol in August. Recent local investigations uncovered a Telegram group chat involving 1,200 members that shared computer-generated images and personal data.
Telegram’s presence in South Korea is relatively modest, with approximately 3 million monthly active users as of April 2024. In comparison, KakaoTalk, a local messaging app, dominates with around 95% user engagement, while Instagram ranks second in popularity.
South Korea’s investigation follows a series of international actions against Telegram. In August 2024, French authorities arrested Telegram founder Pavel Durov, charging him with criminal offenses including facilitating illicit activities and the dissemination of child pornography. This incident has spurred additional scrutiny from various jurisdictions.
India, with over 100 million Telegram users, has launched its own investigation following the news of Durov’s arrest. Indonesia is considering a ban of Telegram due to concerns over content moderation. Furthermore, {Crypto} the European Union is investigating whether Telegram misrepresented its user data within the region. France began its preliminary investigation into Telegram in February 2024, advancing to a judicial inquiry by July.
These global investigations reflect a growing concern over Telegram's role in facilitating illegal content and its broader impact on digital communications.
