The National Police Agency will conduct a special intensive crackdown on deepfake sex crimes starting tomorrow (28th).
The National Police Agency (National Investigation Headquarters) announced that it will carry out a special intensive crackdown for 7 months starting August 28, 2024 to eradicate deepfake sex crimes that are spreading socially and relieve public anxiety. (Crackdown period: August 28, 2024 ~ March 31, 2025)
Deepfake is a compound word of deep learning and fake, which means ‘fake’, and refers to an artificial intelligence (AI)-based image synthesis technology that is created by overlapping an existing photo or video with another photo or video. Do it.
In the past, deepfake production required advanced technology, but thanks to the development of artificial intelligence technology, anyone can now create false videos by accessing deepfake bots through the Internet. Accordingly, deepfake sex crimes, such as compositing nude photos using everyday photos or videos of acquaintances or celebrities, are increasing significantly.
※ Number of crimes related to false videos: 156 cases (2021) → 160 cases (2022) → 180 cases (2023) → 297 cases (as of July 2024)
In some social media, criminal methods, such as participants finding common acquaintances in a specific area or school and sharing false videos with them, are gradually becoming more specific and systematic, so an urgent response is needed.
The police plan to carry out an active crackdown led by the cyber sexual violence investigation team of the Provincial Police Agency, and plan to eradicate criminals by thoroughly tracking and arresting the production and distribution of deepfakes. In addition, the National Police Agency plans to cooperate with provincial and provincial police offices to provide the necessary support for the investigation, including analysis and international cooperation using deepfake detection software.
In particular, if the target of the deepfake is a child or teenager, it will be considered sexual exploitation of children and teenagers, and we plan to respond more strictly by applying the Youth Sexual Protection Act.
As youth crimes are increasing due to the ease of deepfake production, the police collect crime information through school police officers (SPOs) to prevent digital sex crimes among teenagers, and provide case-based prevention education and promotion to raise awareness. The activities will be carried out in parallel.
The National Police Agency said, “Deepfake sex crimes are serious crimes that destroy the victim’s personality,” and said they would do their best to eradicate them and relieve public anxiety. He also added that he asks the public to actively report and tip off information.
Editor. Seyeong Hong
