What's happened
South Korea has enacted a law criminalizing the possession and viewing of sexually explicit deepfake content, following a surge in non-consensual deepfake videos. The legislation aims to address growing public outrage and protect victims, particularly young women, from exploitation and harassment.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the recent law aims to combat the widespread issue of deepfake pornography, which has been linked to a surge in harassment cases. The publication notes that many victims are minors, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures. Business Insider UK emphasizes that the law targets consumers of deepfake content, marking a significant shift in legal strategy. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reports on the public outcry that led to this legislative change, underscoring the societal demand for accountability in the digital age.
How we got here
The rise of deepfake pornography in South Korea has prompted significant public concern, particularly among women. Recent incidents have highlighted the ease of creating and distributing such content, leading to calls for stronger legal protections.
More on these topics
-
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
-
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging, videotelephony and voice over IP service. Telegram client apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS and GNU/Linux and originated in Russia.