In South Korea, deepfake technology has emerged as a dangerous tool for sexual exploitation, impacting the lives of many victims, including university students and teachers. As a result, Ruma—then a 27-year-old university student—fell prey to deepfake sex crimes. Kim, a high school educator, felt alone and scared when she learned that strangers were sharing sexualized images of her online. These people are part of a growing class of victims. They have all endured trauma from the hands of malicious actors who hijacked and exploited their likeness without their knowledge.
The nightmare for Ruma started when her phone started buzzing with alerts that uploaded, modified images of her were being slapped onto nude figures. The photos quickly circulated on the Russian messaging platform Telegram, possibly being viewed by the dozens and/or the thousands of users. In July 2023, that nightmare became Kim’s reality. One day, a student confronted her with Twitter screenshots that included naked pictures she never agreed to send. The two women’s experiences paint a picture that shows both the immediate and long-term damage inflicted by deepfake sex crimes. We know these crimes can severely impact people’s lives.
As these cases exemplify the dark side of digital technology, they expose a more complex societal problem. Despite numerous reports of such crimes, many victims feel abandoned by law enforcement, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despair. In the face of this growing scourge, experts and activists alike are calling for increased awareness and prevention efforts to help fight the epidemic.
A Surge in Reports and Activism
The dramatic increase in reported deepfake sex crimes is startling. Between January and early November 2022, over 900 students, teachers, and staff in South Korean schools reported being victims of these heinous acts. This increase spurred activists such as Won Eun-ji to activism. She fearlessly infiltrated South Korea’s biggest Telegram chat room sharing these crimes. Her advocacy brought national attention to the cause. She wants people to understand that society is not quite where it needs to be in recognizing the seriousness of these crimes.
“Investigations and punishments have been too passive so far.” – Legislator Kim Nam-hee
The ringleader of a criminal syndicate that New Jersey officials say preysed on male and female victims of all ages since 2020. While investigations are still ongoing, more than 70 people are being investigated for their involvement in the production and dissemination of DEE materials. However, despite the alarming statistics, law enforcement has only arrested 23. This follows on the 964 known deepfake-related sex crime cases documented between Jan.-Oct.
Victims such as Ruma and her classmates are getting support from Won Eun-ji to investigate their cases. Their plight underscores the chasm between how these crimes are reported on and the justice that victims hope for. Others do not believe that their lived experiences are treated as credible enough by the gatekeepers in power or in our broader society.
Legislative Efforts and Ongoing Challenges
Lawmakers have started sounding the alarm in response to this growing wave of deepfake sex crimes. Under new legislation passed earlier this year, making and sharing non-consensual deepfake explicit images is now punishable by a maximum of seven years in prison. Having or looking at these types of materials can result in harsh punishments. You would be subject to up to three years in prison or a fine up to 30 million won (approximately $20,000). Despite these steps, considered incremental progress at best, critics have condemned them as too little or too late.
“No matter how much punishments are strengthened, there are still far more victims who suffer because their perpetrators have not been caught,” – Ruma
Ruma’s case is a reminder of the uphill struggle victims still face to achieve justice. Even with this legal framework in place designed to protect those being exploited, victims continue to say they feel let down by law enforcement. Many others have found scant support when pursuing their complaints, forcing them to doubt whether any real transformation is feasible.
The frustration among victims is palpable. Instead, they must deal with the emotional impact of their experiences while dealing with a broken justice system. Activists such as Won Eun-ji have been highlighting the importance of correct prosecutorial discretion in these cases to prevent future perpetrators from escaping responsibility.
The Impact on Victims
The emotional toll of being a victim of these deepfake sex crimes is insurmountable. Ruma describes her experience as shattering: “It broke my whole belief system about the world.” This violation doesn’t just invade their privacy — it obliterates their dignity and sense of safety. His client’s lawyers blasted the sickening propaganda produced by her attacker. They painted these materials in the harshest of lights, calling them “repugnant” and highlighting how much they preyed upon victims much like hunters hunt their targets.
“I was bombarded with all these images that I had never imagined in my life.” – Ruma
Kim’s life was dramatically changed after her ordeal. She testified that learning that she had been chosen for exploitation altered her life beyond repair. The emotional consequences extend well past individual trauma. They breach every facet of life, wreaking havoc on social bonds, professional life, and the entire psychological landscape.
In light of these harrowing experiences, institutions like Seoul National University have pledged to take action:
“The school will strengthen preventative education to raise awareness among the members of the university about digital sex crimes and do its best to protect victims and prevent recurrence.”
Many victims wonder whether such pledges will translate into real change or if they will remain mere lip service without tangible outcomes.
