South Korea to criminalise watching or possessing sexually explicit deepfakes

Activists hold posters during a protest against deepfake porn in Seoul on Aug 30, 2024. - AFP

SEOUL: South Korean lawmakers on Thursday (Sept 26) passed a bill that criminalises possessing or watching sexually explicit deepfake images and videos, with penalties set to include prison terms and fines. There has been an outcry in South Korea over Telegram group chats where sexually explicit and illegal deepfakes were created and widely shared, prompting calls for tougher punishment.

Anyone purchasing, saving or watching such material could face up to three years in jail or be fined up to 30 million won (US$22,600), according to the bill.