South Korea Battles Deepfake Porn Epidemic
South Korea Battles Deepfake Porn Epidemic
The Facts
Sexually explicit "deepfake" images, including those of children and generated using artificial intelligence, are flooding South Korea's chat groups, worrying authorities.
Hundreds of schools and universities, whose students had allegedly become victims — though unconfirmed — of deepfake sex crimes, were named Sunday on X.
The Spin
South Korea's deepfake pornography crisis has exposed the dark underbelly of the nation's digital landscape, where social media and messaging platforms' strong encryption and non-cooperation with law enforcement have inadvertently created a haven for cybercriminals engaging in digital sex crimes.
The potential for misuse aside, AI-powered deepfake technology is simply another tool for creative expression. Like with many other areas, the ethical line can easily be drawn at consent and intent. The focus must now be on establishing norms, laws, and standards governing their use, balancing innovation with individual rights and public trust.