Minors go from exploited to exploiters as tech, misogyny power rise in digital sex crimes
Published: 26 Sep. 2024, 15:30
Updated: 26 Sep. 2024, 15:51
![Screen capture of digital sex crime chatroom on messenger platfrom Telegram by nonprofit organization ReSET [RESET]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/09/26/e061008d-2133-477e-ad76-b3c827e05fbc.jpg)
Screen capture of digital sex crime chatroom on messenger platfrom Telegram by nonprofit organization ReSET [RESET]
An increasing number of perpetrators consider digital sex crimes normal, or even a right, according to a nonprofit organization that monitors online chat rooms dealing with sexually exploitive materials.
The nonprofit organization ReSET explained how digital sex crimes have changed since it began working five years ago in a written interview conducted on Sept. 9 and 10 with the JoongAng Ilbo, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily.
“To them, illegal deepfake materials are nothing more than a part of everyday entertainment.”
ReSET was formed by women in December 2019 as a response to the “Nth Room” incident the same year, where multiple chat rooms on Telegram were reportedly being used to exploit women and young girls sexually.
Anonymous activists gathered evidence of sexual exploitation materials on messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord, reporting them to the police and the Korea Communications Commission or submitting legislative proposals to the National Assembly. The organization also supported victims and protested overseas in places like London and Tokyo to raise awareness of digital sex crimes in Korea.
![ReSET rallying in Europe to protest deepfake pornography [RESET]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/09/26/3b7ab53e-78a0-435d-8273-b8b6ab23036d.jpg)
ReSET rallying in Europe to protest deepfake pornography [RESET]
Elementary students to digital sex criminals
Since ReSET began its work, digital sex crime methods have become bolder, and the harm has become more deadly. In the past, crimes often targeted unknown women through hidden cameras. But recently, there has been a surge in crimes where illegally manufactured materials were categorized by the personal information of targeted acquaintances, such as their place of residence or occupation, and distributed.
ReSET explained there is a lack of awareness of the seriousness of these crimes, particularly among teenagers. “Even elementary school students operate sex exploitation rooms,” a ReSET activist said. “I have seen middle and high school students ask how to run such rooms, saying, ‘I’ll build a career as a manager of a sexual exploitation chat room instead of going to school.’”
“The age of perpetrators is getting younger, and sex crimes have become a part of everyday life, treated as a game,” they added.
ReSET pointed out that despite the police launching a special crackdown on deepfake sex crimes last month due to the growing societal outcry, the number of messenger rooms where sexual exploitation materials are produced and shared has increased rapidly on platforms like Telegram. For example, the number of participants in deepfake bot channels has quickly risen from 220,000 to 390,000.
“Even now, infamous sex exploitation room operators open new rooms to ‘humiliate’ acquaintances, and 20,000 people join in just one day,” said ReSET. “The perpetrators show no signs of concern, saying things like ‘it will quiet down again in a few weeks or months.’”
“On the contrary, the more the media reports on it, the more they respond with remarks like ‘Thanks for the free publicity,’ or ‘Bros, I’m going to be on the news,’” said the organization. “In some sex exploitation rooms, they even give instructions such as, ‘Don’t be scared even if it’s in the news, humiliate your acquaintances, and humiliate the journalist who wrote the article.’”
![Participants hold up signs during a rally against deepfake pornography held near Bosingak Bell Pavilion in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Sept. 6.[NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/09/26/9e4c893d-e6a9-4bd6-a1d8-a66402963d6b.jpg)
Participants hold up signs during a rally against deepfake pornography held near Bosingak Bell Pavilion in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Sept. 6.[NEWS1]
From Telegram to X: A chain of distribution
ReSET said that sex crime materials are not only distributed on Telegram but spread across other messaging platforms and browsers like the dark web. Sexual exploitation materials created on Telegram spread through Discord, are traded on Line, promoted on X, and eventually reach general online communities. Some perpetrators even use Instagram hacking bots within Telegram to create deepfake content using leaked photos.
“This mass distribution process repeats endlessly,” said ReSET. “Secondary victimizations range from cyberbullying specific victims to instructing additional crimes.” The activist also noted that “since many overseas channels sell Korean sexual exploitation materials, it’s practically impossible to quantify the number of perpetrators.”
![Protestors hold placards at a press conference condemning deepfake sex crimes in front of the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Aug. 30. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/09/26/f6da0772-8612-4c05-b382-f41de33638ec.jpg)
Protestors hold placards at a press conference condemning deepfake sex crimes in front of the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Aug. 30. [YONHAP]
Technology outpaces human rights awareness
As for why digital sex crimes have become rampant in Korea regardless of age, ReSET pointed to a lack of awareness of human rights.
“Human rights awareness has not kept pace with technological advancements,” said ReSET. “The perception that women are not equals, combined with digital technology, has resulted in these forms of sex crimes.”
“Current law only punishes acts of production that have been distributed or proven to be for distribution purposes, so those in possession of synthetic materials or those who view them cannot be punished,” said ReSET, emphasizing the need for regulations on IT platforms and amendments to laws related to digital sex crimes.
“There is also a need to expand the scope of undercover investigations, which are currently only allowed for digital sex crimes targeting children and adolescents.”
BY KIM SEO-WON, KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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