Deepfake crimes run rampant amid regulatory loopholes as reviews through August surpass last year’s annual total

[Financial News] The cumulative number of reviews of deepfake sex-crime content created using artificial intelligence (AI) from January to August this year surpassed last year’s full-year total, data show. Most reviews targeted overseas illegal websites and similar platforms, prompting calls for stronger measures to block the distribution of illegal video content and protect victims.
According to data submitted by the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Review Committee, which were obtained on the 17th by Lee Yeon-hee, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker on the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, the number of reviews of deepfake sex-crime content from January to August this year totaled 17,378. That is already about 10% higher than the 15,808 reviews conducted throughout last year.
Reviews of deepfake sex-crime content surged from 1,913 in 2021 to 23,109 in 2024. The number temporarily declined last year (15,808), but has been rising rapidly again this year.
Reviews focused on overseas illegal and obscene websites, peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing sites, and similar platforms. The “Other” category, which included these sites, accounted for 17,116 reviews this year, or about 98.5% of the total. X (formerly Twitter) accounted for 138 cases, and Telegram for 124.
The response to the distribution of illegal video content through overseas platforms is emerging as a key challenge. At a parliamentary audit on the 12th, Broadcasting, Media and Communications Review Committee Chair Goh Gwang-heon said he would work to improve the effectiveness of removing and blocking illegal content on overseas platforms in order to prevent the spread of illegally filmed material and deepfake sex-crime videos.
Lee said, "Since the number of reviews of deepfake sex-crime content has surpassed last year’s full-year total, we need to closely examine the situation and our response systems," adding, "Effective measures are needed to prevent the harm from spreading and to protect victims."

[email protected] Kim Hyun-ji Reporter