South Korean lawmakers pass bill criminalizing possession of sexual deepfakes
In a decisive move, South Korean lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill that criminalizes the possession or viewing of sexually explicit deepfake images and videos. The legislation, prompted by growing public outcry over the creation and sharing of illegal deepfakes in Telegram group chats, imposes severe penalties including prison terms of up to three years and fines reaching 30 million won (approximately $22,600).
The new bill significantly enhances existing laws, which already penalize the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes intended for distribution. Under the current Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act, offenders face up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million won. The new law raises the maximum penalty for all related offenses to seven years, regardless of intent.
The legislation must now be approved by President Yoon Suk Yeol before it can be enacted. The urgency of this measure is underscored by alarming statistics from South Korean police, who reported handling over 800 deepfake sex crime cases in 2023 alone, a stark rise from 156 cases recorded in all of 2021. Notably, many victims and perpetrators are teenagers.
In light of the rising prevalence of deepfake technology, authorities have launched investigations, including a recent probe into whether the encrypted messaging platform Telegram has played a role in facilitating the distribution of explicit content.
This legislative development in South Korea reflects a broader global challenge, as countries grapple with the implications of deepfake technology. In the United States, Congress is currently debating several bills aimed at providing legal recourse for victims of nonconsensual sexual deepfakes and imposing strict regulations on tech companies.
The urgency to address the harmful effects of deepfakes was highlighted earlier this year when the social media platform X temporarily blocked searches related to pop star Taylor Swift after fake explicit images circulated widely.
As discussions on deepfake legislation continue globally, South Korea’s new law signals a commitment to combatting digital exploitation and protecting individuals from the growing threats posed by this technology.
